Georgia Urges AI Data Centers to Cut Water Usage as Droughts Rage
Georgia is facing challenges meeting the escalating water demands of AI data centers, with Atlanta planners urging operators to reduce consumption amidst ongoing droughts and growing public opposition. This pressure follows an incident where Quality Technology Services (QTS) was found to have used nearly 30 million gallons of unbilled water for a data center in Fayette County. Local utilities are now pushing back against requests for massive water usage from developers.
Georgia is reportedly struggling to meet the increasing water demands of AI data centers, prompting Atlanta planners and the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District to urge operators to prioritize community needs and reduce consumption. Celine Benoit, principal planner for the district, noted at an American Water Works Association conference that Georgia residents generally oppose AI data centers due to their significant water and energy requirements. The Atlanta area is the second-largest data center market in the US by power usage, but the state is prone to droughts, exacerbating water supply issues.
Local Georgia utilities have begun pushing back against developers' requests for millions of gallons of water per day, citing insufficient supply. This issue gained prominence after Fayette County utility officials discovered that Quality Technology Services (QTS) had used nearly 30 million gallons of unbilled water at a data center campus in Fayetteville, Georgia. The unbilled water, equivalent to 44 Olympic-sized swimming pools, significantly exceeded the approved usage limit, leading Fayette County to demand $147,474 in retroactive payments from QTS.
Public opposition to AI data center construction is a growing national trend, with opponents reportedly blocking or delaying projects worth billions. Country music star Brad Paisley recently called for citizens to block a proposed AI data center near the Nashville Zoo, describing it as an "enormous monstrosity." The rapid expansion of AI data centers into new regions is creating substantial pressure on state and local governments to balance economic development with environmental and community concerns.