Data Center Water Usage

Water consumption, cooling demands, and water resource concerns related to data center operations. Data Center Signal is tracking 8,750 clips related to water across all 50 states.

8750Clips

15States

States

Companies

Google6%

Meta4%

Amazon4%

Microsoft3%

OpenAI2%

Oracle2%

QTS1%

DC BLOX1%

CyrusOne1%

O'Leary Digital1%

News ClipHartford Courant·CT

Data centers, urban heat, and AI growth: CT experts weigh in, including pushback

AI growth is driving significant data center expansion, leading to increased community pushback due to environmental concerns such as urban heat, water consumption, and electricity grid strain. Experts from Yale weigh in on the complex trade-offs, highlighting the need for careful policy and sustainable solutions to mitigate impacts. Cities like Denver, Minneapolis, and Seattle are considering municipal restrictions.

opposition environmental electricity water government

7/18/2026

News ClipThe Washington Post·Sand Springs, Tulsa County, OK

How data centers became a symbol of Americans’ rage

Residents near Sand Springs, Oklahoma, are expressing significant frustration over a proposed Google data center. Kyle Schmidt, a local resident, is particularly concerned about the lack of transparency surrounding the project and its potential impact on the community's water supply and his property.

opposition environmental water

Google

7/18/2026

News ClipNews and Sentinel·Dover, Tuscarawas County, OH

Environmental concerns regarding data center expansion in Ohio

An opinion piece highlights the extensive environmental concerns surrounding data center expansion in Ohio, including noise, water usage, air pollution, and the impact on land use. It criticizes the rapid growth as driven by greed, connecting it to fracking leases and increased demand from cryptocurrency and AI computing. The author warns against uncontrolled expansion and calls for a halt to current trends.

environmental electricity water opposition government

7/18/2026

News Clipthealpenanews.com·NY

In defense of data centers

New York has enacted the first state-level moratorium on data centers in the U.S., prompting debate over economic development versus environmental concerns. The author argues that fears surrounding data centers' impact on power and water are largely exaggerated and that such facilities offer significant economic benefits like jobs and tax revenue.

moratorium electricity water opposition government

7/18/2026

News ClipThe Lufkin Daily News·TX

Texas House Committee to Study Data Center Water Use

The Texas House Committee on Natural Resources is engaged in interim work, including studying groundwater regulation and data center water usage in the state. They will evaluate total water consumption by data centers and consider policy options for water-efficient development, especially in water-stressed regions. This effort is linked to the implementation of HJR 7 and SB 7, which established the Texas Water Fund for water supply and infrastructure.

water government

7/18/2026

News Clip2:17FOX54 News Huntsville·AL

A closer look at the impact of data centers

The rapid growth of data centers, driven by AI and cloud computing, is raising concerns in the Tennessee Valley. While they offer economic benefits, residents and environmental advocates highlight potential long-term impacts on shared resources like water and power, pushing local and state governments to proactively plan for their development and regulation. TVA is also evaluating its rate structures to ensure data centers pay their fair share.

environmental electricity water government opposition

7/18/2026

News ClipTimes Republican·Marshalltown, Marshall County, IA

P&Z Commission kicks off discussion on timeline for data center rules and regulations project

The Marshalltown Planning & Zoning Commission has begun discussions to establish a timeline for developing new data center rules and regulations, following the city council's vote to implement a four-month moratorium. The process will involve public input, work sessions, and community roundtables, with a formal resolution for the moratorium expected on July 27. Key areas of concern for the new regulations include water and electricity usage, as well as noise guidelines, which are not specifically addressed in the current zoning code for data centers.

moratorium zoning government electricity water opposition

7/18/2026

News ClipWBHM·Birmingham, Jefferson County, AL

Court hearing in case challenging Birmingham data center to resume next month

A court hearing in Jefferson County, Alabama, is set to resume next month in a lawsuit challenging the city of Birmingham's permitting of a hyperscale data center by Nebius and Hoar Construction. Residents Rob and Gail Sansome allege the city illegally permitted the project, violating zoning ordinances and causing harm from construction noise and vibrations. The lawsuit also questions the validity of permits issued before a temporary moratorium and new regulations were enacted, with the city contending the project is exempt.

legal opposition zoning government moratorium environmental electricity water

7/18/2026

News Clip3:13KTVB·Pocatello, Bannock County, ID

Pocatello council upholds denial of proposed AI data center after packed meeting

The Pocatello City Council voted to uphold the denial of a proposed AI data center by Lex Developments following a packed public meeting. Concerns included water usage, power, and air quality, with the developer planning to pursue judicial review if denied again. The decision was not unanimous, with one council member warning of potential legal challenges.

zoning opposition environmental government legal electricity water

7/18/2026

News Clip1:03Amplified Voices TV·NY

New York Leads Growing Pushback Against Data Centers | AURN News

New York has enacted a one-year moratorium on new hyperscale data centers, becoming the first state to do so. This decision stems from increasing concerns regarding energy consumption, water usage, and potential community impacts. The move reflects a broader trend of growing community opposition to large-scale data center projects across the country.

moratorium opposition environmental government electricity water

7/18/2026

News ClipThe University Star·Hays County, TX

Hays County Commissioners Court enacts 180-day moratorium on high-water use projects including data centers

The Hays County Commissioners Court approved a 180-day moratorium on industrial high water use projects, including data centers, due to drought concerns and potential groundwater impacts. This pause also establishes a new review board to evaluate groundwater impacts and signifies the county's stance against accepting tax incentives from data center developers.

moratorium water government environmental

7/18/2026

News Clipchronicleonline.com·Jay, Franklin County, ME

Why better-off cities and towns see more benefits from data centers than rural regions

A new study examines the economic impacts of data centers, finding varied benefits based on location and operator type, and potential increases in electricity prices. The article highlights growing national opposition to data center development, including legislative efforts like Maine's vetoed statewide moratorium bill and enacted tax incentive eliminations.

opposition zoning moratorium electricity water environmental government

7/18/2026

News Clip0:36FOX54 News Huntsville·Huntsville, Madison County, AL

As data centers grow, so do concerns over water and power use

As AI use expands, the demand for data centers increases. This video examines the growing concerns regarding the substantial water and power consumption of these facilities and the demands they place on local resources.

electricity water environmental

7/18/2026

News Cliprocketcitynow.com·AL

Data center growth raises long-term resource concerns in North Alabama$

Data center development in North Alabama is prompting discussions and concerns regarding the long-term availability and sustainability of local resources. The growth is leading to questions about how to manage essential resources such as power and water to support the industry's expansion.

environmental electricity water

7/18/2026

News ClipWSJM·Hagar, Berrien County, MI

Hagar Township approves data center moratorium

Hagar Township's Board of Trustees has approved a one-year moratorium on data centers. The decision allows the township Planning Commission to research the implications of data centers, particularly concerning water and noise, before considering a potential ordinance. This action follows similar moratoriums enacted by Lincoln and Niles Townships.

moratorium government electricity water opposition

7/18/2026

News Clip1:36The Dale Jackson Show·AL

Alabama debates data center impact and policy decisions

The video discusses the ongoing debate over data centers in Alabama, highlighting exaggerated claims made by opponents regarding environmental impacts. While dismissing unsupported claims, the host acknowledges legitimate concerns about electricity demand, water usage, and local infrastructure that require fact-based discussion for informed policy decisions by the state.

electricity water government

7/18/2026

News ClipModesto Bee·Patterson, Stanislaus County, CA

Patterson’s 45-day moratorium chills any talks of data center construction

The City of Patterson has approved a 45-day moratorium on data center construction following community concerns about water usage, electricity, and noise pollution. Residents and officials emphasized the need to study the potential impacts of a data center before allowing development in the water-stressed region. Property owners interested in the development expressed worry about the stigma the moratorium could bring.

moratorium water electricity opposition government environmental

7/18/2026

News Clip2:34KPRC 2 Click2Houston·Iowa Colony, Brazoria County, TX

Iowa Colony weighs resolution to oppose possible data centers

The Iowa Colony city council is scheduled to discuss a resolution opposing potential data center developments. Residents and officials are expressing concerns about the impact these facilities could have on the city's water supply, electricity infrastructure, and overall quality of life.

opposition government water electricity

7/18/2026

News ClipKTVO·Fairfield, Jefferson County, IA

Jefferson County works to finalize data center rules, moves towards public hearings

Jefferson County, Iowa, is actively working to finalize a proposed data center ordinance to establish standards for future developments before any specific proposals are submitted. The regulations aim to address significant demands on electricity, water, roads, and emergency services. Public hearings are expected soon, with a formal discussion planned for the July 20 Board of Supervisors meeting.

zoning government electricity water moratorium legal

7/17/2026

News ClipNewsNation·IL

Illinois farmers warn data centers could threaten water resources$

Farmers in Illinois are raising concerns that the increasing presence of data centers could pose a threat to the state's water resources. This highlights a growing environmental issue as data center development expands across the region.

water environmental opposition

7/17/2026