Water Concerns in Southwest Georgia Tied to Data Center Development
An opinion piece from a Colquitt County resident highlights concerns over water usage by data centers in southwest Georgia. The region's aquifers are already strained by extensive agricultural irrigation, and data centers' continuous, high-volume water demands could exacerbate groundwater depletion. Local governments are urged to carefully consider these environmental impacts when making development decisions.
Terry Turner, a Colquitt County resident and professor emeritus, has voiced concerns regarding the potential impact of data centers on groundwater resources in southwest Georgia. The region relies on the Floridan and Claiborne aquifers, which have seen significant withdrawals since the 1970s due to agricultural pivot irrigation systems. These systems, numbering between 10,000 and 13,000 statewide, have led to a noticeable decline in water levels, with wells needing to be bored significantly deeper today than in the past.
The state responded to these concerns and a long-term drought by enacting a moratorium on new groundwater withdrawal permits in 2012, which was only lifted in 2025 with new efficiency rules. Turner argues that data centers, which require vast amounts of water for cooling continuously, would place immense additional strain on these already stressed aquifers. A medium-sized data center can consume an estimated 110 million gallons annually, while large centers can use this much in a week during peak operation.
Turner urges local governments to prioritize groundwater preservation for residents and agriculture over the needs of corporations. He calls on political leaders to carefully consider the long-term environmental consequences and ensure their priorities are aligned with the sustainability of the region's natural resources when making decisions about data center development.