Data centers have ignited a debate over water. But they’d hardly be the biggest users.
Data center developments, including The Barn data center in Saline Township, Michigan, have sparked a debate regarding their water consumption. While proposals move forward statewide, questions persist about appropriate water usage levels and methods. The article suggests data centers may not be the largest water users despite public concern.
The construction of The Barn data center in Saline Township, Michigan, developed by Related Companies and Oracle for OpenAI, has brought renewed attention to the debate surrounding water usage by data centers.
According to a report by Dustin Walsh in Crain's Detroit, as data center proposals advance across the state, public and regulatory bodies are scrutinizing how much water is consumed by these facilities. The discussion focuses on the thresholds of acceptable water use and the efficiency of their cooling systems.
Despite the concerns, the article suggests that data centers might not be the most significant water consumers when compared to other industrial or agricultural sectors, aiming to provide context to the ongoing debate.