Data Centers and Water Use: Why Patterson Residents Are Asking Questions
Patterson residents are expressing significant concerns about the potential water usage of large data centers, especially given the city's reliance on groundwater. They are demanding clear answers, full disclosure, and enforceable limits on water consumption before any data center project proceeds. The community aims to understand the real impact on its water supply and resources.
Residents of Patterson are raising significant concerns regarding the substantial water demands of large data centers as the artificial intelligence industry expands. The City of Patterson, which relies entirely on groundwater and delivered approximately 1.5 billion gallons in 2024, faces potential strain if a water-intensive data center were to establish operations. Public reports suggest some large data centers can use millions of gallons daily, potentially exceeding Patterson's annual water delivery.
While acknowledging that actual water use depends on project design and cooling technologies, residents are demanding clear, public data. They seek information on expected daily and annual water use, peak summer demand, water sources (recycled vs. groundwater), and impacts during drought years. There are also calls for clarification on whether new infrastructure like wells or storage would be required.
The community emphasizes that full disclosure, independent analysis, and enforceable limits are crucial before any data center project moves forward, to ensure the protection of local water resources for residents, farms, businesses, and future growth.