Proposed data center would pull from lake that supplies most of Fort Worth’s water

Residents in Henderson County, Texas, are actively opposing a proposed data center project by Kansas-based Diode Ventures due to its potential impact on Cedar Creek Lake, which supplies the majority of Fort Worth's drinking water. The proposed facility could draw up to 5 million gallons of water daily, a demand that local utility records indicate would significantly exceed the West Cedar Creek Municipal Utility District's capacity.

Community members, organized under the advocacy group Save Cedar Creek, have voiced concerns about the transparency of Diode Ventures regarding project scope, costs, and acreage, as the company is still evaluating sites in the county. In response to increasing interest from data center developers, the West Cedar Creek Municipal Utility District passed a temporary suspension on "high-intensity water service commitments," effective until April 1, 2027. This measure aims to ensure water system reliability and sufficient supplies amid drought conditions, effectively halting data center development in the district.

Local attorney and property owner Ashley Cook, along with Julie Waters, founder of Texans United Against Data Centers, highlight broader environmental impacts on wildlife and the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer. They are advocating for legislative action in the 2027 session to impose statewide limitations and regulations on water and power-intensive tech facilities. Advocates plan to attend a Texas Senate Committee on Finance discussion on data centers and tax exemptions in Austin to amplify their concerns.