Ohio Chamber Research Foundation study finds Ohio water resources can handle 'near-term data center growth'
A report from the Ohio Chamber Research Foundation concludes that Ohio's water resources are broadly capable of supporting near-term data center growth, despite public and legislative concerns. The study focused on projected water consumption in the Columbus and Cincinnati-Dayton areas. This comes amidst statewide discussions, including a suspension of data center tax breaks and the formation of a new Joint Data Center Committee.
The Ohio Chamber Research Foundation has released a report indicating that Ohio's water resources are sufficient to support near-term data center expansion, particularly in the Columbus and Cincinnati-Dayton regions. The study aims to address growing controversies surrounding data center water usage, which have led to a suspension of state tax breaks and the creation of the Ohio Joint Data Center Committee.
The report projects central Ohio data centers will consume 28.8 million gallons of water daily by 2030, representing only 8 percent of the region's human water demand. In the Cincinnati-Dayton area, usage is estimated at 2.2 million gallons per day, making up 1 percent of regional consumption. The study suggests that water scarcity is less a concern than issues like stormwater management and infrastructure readiness.
Steve Stivers, president and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, stated the study shows Ohio is well-positioned for continued growth but emphasized the need for thoughtful planning. Daniel Gingerich, an engineering professor at Ohio State University, explained that water is primarily used for cooling and is either evaporated or discharged after treatment. However, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) highlights that large data centers can consume as much water as a town of 10,000 to 50,000 people, raising concerns about freshwater supplies amidst increasing droughts.