How a new data center could impact water in the area
A proposed large data center in Eastern Washington, specifically Spokane, is facing scrutiny over its potential environmental and resource impacts. The Spokane Riverkeeper has raised concerns about the project's high water and electricity consumption, which could affect local aquatic life and introduce harmful chemicals. The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is yet to approve the project, and public input is being encouraged.
Plans for a large data center proposed for Eastern Washington are under review, with significant concerns raised by the Spokane Riverkeeper regarding its potential environmental and resource impacts. If approved, the facility could consume almost 30% of Avista's total electrical capacity. Of greater concern are its potential water demands, which the Spokane Riverkeeper estimates could be nearly three times the combined usage of Spokane's current top five water consumers.
Data centers typically use substantial amounts of water for cooling servers. Critics are worried about increased water temperatures, which could negatively affect native fish populations in the Spokane River. Additionally, there are questions about the quality of water discharged after the cooling process, as it could contain "forever chemicals" like PFAS and heavy metals that are challenging to remove.
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) must still approve the project. The Spokane Riverkeeper has published an article detailing these concerns and is encouraging the public to voice their opinions to the WUTC, with information provided on how to do so via the KREM 2 News website.