Data centers use water responsibly

Amid concerns over Colorado River water reductions, Arizonans are questioning water use by new industries, including data centers. However, state officials Michael Carbone (Arizona House Majority Leader) and Justin Wilmeth (Chairman of the House Committee on AI & Innovation) assert that Arizona's strong water laws and conservation efforts, which have reduced overall state water usage since the 1950s despite population growth, should foster confidence rather than fear. The officials argue that Arizona should continue to welcome responsible businesses, particularly those demonstrating a commitment to water conservation. They point to modern data centers, which are designed for water efficiency, often utilizing closed-loop cooling systems, dry cooling, or multi-pass recycling systems. Examples include CyrusOne's air-cooled, closed-loop system in Chandler and Google's advanced dry-cooling and Meta's closed-loop, multi-pass system in Mesa. Data center operators are adapting to Arizona's water challenges, not ignoring them, driven by economic incentives for operational efficiency. Beyond conservation, data centers provide substantial economic benefits, including millions in property and sales taxes, which can help fund future water infrastructure projects for the state. Carbone and Wilmeth conclude that economic growth, technological advancement, and water stewardship can coexist, positioning Arizona to attract cutting-edge industries and fund essential water infrastructure.