'Data Centers Use A Ton Of Water': Landsman Raises Alarms Over Data Center Public Water Consumption

During a House Ways and Means Committee hearing, Representative Greg Landsman of Ohio voiced significant concerns regarding the substantial water consumption of data centers across the United States. He noted that data centers currently use an estimated 40-50 million gallons of water daily, with projections indicating a four-fold increase to 200 million gallons within the next one to two years, primarily sourced from public water systems. Landsman emphasized the critical need for federal disclosure requirements regarding data centers' peak water usage, water sources (including groundwater withdrawals), wastewater discharge, and cooling technologies, arguing that local communities currently lack sufficient information and leverage in negotiating these developments or requiring infrastructure payments.

In response, Ms. Wu, a panelist, underscored the importance of specific and transparent data disclosure, particularly concerning peak demand during hot or drought conditions, to inform communities about the impact on finite water resources. She stressed that such disclosures should occur pre-construction to empower communities in their negotiations. Secretary Moore and Mr. Bradley also contributed to the discussion. Mr. Bradley highlighted that current reporting frameworks are inconsistent nationwide, especially for data centers not connected to public water systems (e.g., those using private wells or surface water intakes), citing Vermont as an example of a state with some industrial regulations.

While supporting transparency, Mr. Bradley cautioned Congress against being overly prescriptive with federal regulations, suggesting that local communities, which control permits, are best positioned to determine what works for their specific context due to the varying nature of data centers and local water systems. The exchange concluded with an agreement on the general value of transparency in addressing these issues.