2026 midterm elections: Data centers dominate conversation, what about the Ogallala
The article examines how data center water consumption has entered Kansas election debates amid declining groundwater levels in the Ogallala Aquifer. Kansas Geological Survey experts explain that data centers could use significant water, but agriculture remains the dominant consumer and the state has established water-rights regulations.
Data center water use has become an issue in local and statewide elections as Kansas confronts continued depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer. The aquifer supports much of the state’s agricultural economy, with irrigation accounting for about 85% of Kansas groundwater use. Experts cited in the article said data center demand is significant but remains far below agricultural consumption.
Kansas Geological Survey geohydrologist Brownie Wilson and director emeritus Rex Buchanan described the complexity of balancing water conservation, property rights, agriculture and economic development. The article also discusses Project Matador, a Texas data center development within the Ogallala region that could have access to roughly 6.75 billion gallons of water annually. Kansas gubernatorial candidates Cindy Holscher and Ty Masterson both expressed support for managing the state’s water resources, though they differed over implementation and funding priorities.