Water advisers examine conservation, regulation of data center usage
Fort Worth's Wholesale Water and Wastewater Advisory Committee discussed water conservation, data center regulations, and city cost savings. Recommendations for data center regulations include mandating closed-loop cooling systems and wastewater pretreatment permits. The city is also upgrading its SCADA system and billing software for improved efficiency.
The Wholesale Water and Wastewater Advisory Committee in Fort Worth, Texas, convened on June 11 to address critical issues including water conservation, regulations for data center water usage, and initiatives to reduce city costs. Micah Reed, the water conservation manager, highlighted the importance of enforcing water conservation, particularly by commercial customers who irrigate on residential days.
Chris Harder, Fort Worth's water director, presented current recommendations for data center regulations, advocating for the adoption of installation policies and design criteria specific to water, wastewater, and reclaimed water infrastructure. Key requirements for data centers would include the use of closed-loop cooling systems and obtaining wastewater pretreatment permits. The Tarrant Regional Water District indicated that while it evaluates all requests, maintaining water supply reliability for existing customers remains a top priority.
Additionally, the meeting covered technological advancements within the city's water management. Jacob Pena, assistant water systems superintendent, detailed the ongoing upgrade of the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, which will centralize digital monitoring and control of water and wastewater operations. Shane Zondor, assistant director for city water management services, introduced a proposed "meter-to-cash" software transformation to modernize billing, track water usage, and offer convenient payment options like Venmo and Apple Pay, aiming for enhanced customer and staff experience.