New Data Center Plans Raise Water Usage Alarms in Cochise County

Cochise County, Arizona, is grappling with significant community concerns over potential new data center developments amidst severe groundwater depletion issues in the region. Local officials are exploring allowing data centers, but the prospect has prompted alarms from residents and environmental groups. The Arizona Department of Water Resources reports sharply dropping groundwater levels in the Willcox basin, leading to land subsidence and underground fissures. This makes water-intensive industries like data centers, which can consume millions of gallons daily, a contentious topic for citizens who are now raising their voices. The Cochise County Planning and Zoning Commission acknowledges that current zoning rules may facilitate outside developers, particularly compared to more regulated areas like Phoenix. Consequently, the county is actively drafting new regulations to specifically define data centers, require special-use permits, and establish performance standards to mitigate environmental concerns, including groundwater depletion and high power demands. While no specific data center company has yet formally proposed a project, concerned citizens are advocating for tighter rules and greater transparency, questioning whether the economic benefits of such developments would outweigh the long-term environmental costs to the arid county.