Central Arkansas Water details Google's data center demand

A press conference led by Central Arkansas Water CEO Tad Bohannon revealed new details regarding the water and electricity demands of Google's planned $1 billion data center at the Port of Little Rock and AVAIO Digital's $6 billion project in eastern Pulaski County. Officials aimed to address public "misconceptions and misinformation" surrounding these significant developments, which have raised concerns nationwide over their resource consumption and environmental impact. Bohannon stated that each data center is expected to require about 4 million gallons of water daily for cooling, a demand Central Arkansas Water's 157 million gallons per day treatment capacity can safely accommodate without affecting existing service. He also confirmed that data centers will pay standard commercial water rates and cover their own infrastructure costs. Similarly, Entergy's Ventrell Thompson indicated that Google's data center would draw over 100 megawatts and AVAIO Digital's up to one gigawatt, with companies responsible for infrastructure costs, benefiting other customers through revenue generation. Noise was also addressed, with Google pledging to meet or exceed Little Rock's noise ordinances and AVAIO Digital committing to a noise study and mitigation designs. Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce President Jay Chessir highlighted the economic benefits, including significant property tax contributions to the city, Pulaski County, and the Pulaski County Special School District.