Project Blue developers improperly used Tucson water, city has shut it off

The City of Tucson has disconnected the water supply for the Project Blue data center, alleging that developers improperly used the city's drinking water for dust control at the construction site. City Manager Tim Thomure notified Beale Infrastructure, the project's developer, in a May 4 letter that a temporary water meter issued to their contractor, Ames Construction, had been revoked. Thomure stated that the City of Tucson Mayor and Council had unanimously rejected any involvement or support for the Project Blue Data Center Development, including the use of its water resources. The city became aware that Ames Construction obtained a construction meter within the Tucson Water service area and transported that water out of the service area to the Project Blue site, which is just outside city limits. City spokesperson Andy Squire clarified that Ames Construction followed normal procedures to obtain the meter, but it was expected to be used within city limits. Thomure requested that Beale Infrastructure 'make Tucson's water supply whole' by providing two acre-feet of water credits. Beale Infrastructure responded in a statement that their contractor followed standard procedure, will be billed accordingly, and is procuring construction water from an alternative non-potable source. Ward 3 council member Kevin Dahl made Thomure's letter public on Facebook, expressing his dismay at the developers proceeding with construction despite telling the city they couldn't build without a city water source. Construction on the Project Blue data center began last month, attracting protests from opponents who criticize its potential environmental impact and a perceived lack of transparency in the approval process.