Clean water advocates worry about data center impact on drinking water
Water advocates in Michigan are warning that data center construction and operations could threaten drinking water through stormwater runoff, wastewater discharges and chemical pollutants. The article also notes data centers’ significant electricity and water use, but does not identify a specific project or company.
Reese Dillard, water policy coordinator for the Michigan Environmental Council, said stormwater runoff from data center construction sites can carry particulates into ecosystems and public water supplies. She urged developers to upgrade stormwater infrastructure as heavier precipitation and flooding increase climate-related risks.
The article also describes how data centers draw large amounts of water for cooling and may discharge chemicals, metals and other pollutants into wetlands or streams. A Congressional Research Service report cited potential contaminants from cooling systems and construction activities, while the National Library of Medicine has documented related public-health risks from exposure.