Indian Wells Valley water entities in data dispute, Inyokern AI data center raises water concerns
A dispute between the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority and the Indian Wells Valley Water District is preventing data sharing on groundwater monitoring wells, impacting plans for new drilling. Separately, a proposed Inyokern Artificial Intelligence Data Center is causing concern among residents due to its potential high water consumption in an already arid region. The Groundwater Authority sent a letter to the California Energy Commission regarding the data center's water impact.
The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority is facing a data sharing dispute with the Indian Wells Valley Water District regarding groundwater monitoring wells. The Authority extended an agreement with the U.S. Navy for funding to drill new wells, but is attempting to obtain data from existing wells drilled by the Water District in the same Rose Valley area, identified as a data gap.
Authority General Manager April Keigwin requested data from the Water District, but received incomplete information. Water District attorney Jim Worth stated that work in Little Lake and Rose Valley is subject to ongoing adjudication filed by the Water District, which he claimed prevents data sharing. Authority board members, including Chair Phillip Peters, questioned this stance and even suggested suing the Water District for the data, citing concerns about duplicating efforts and wasting funds.
In a separate but related development, Steve Johnson, Water Resources Manager of Stetson Engineers, informed the Authority that a letter was sent to the California Energy Commission on July 15 concerning the proposed Inyokern Artificial Intelligence Data Center. Residents are reportedly polarized and highly concerned that the AI data center's significant water demands could further deplete scarce water resources in the region.