Data Center Water Usage

Water consumption, cooling demands, and water resource concerns related to data center operations. Data Center Signal is tracking 2,323 clips related to water across all 50 states.

2323Clips

15States

States

Companies

Google7%

Amazon5%

Meta5%

Microsoft4%

OpenAI2%

Oracle1%

CyrusOne1%

QTS1%

Prologis1%

CRG1%

News ClipThe Item·SC

S.C. is among 14 states not reporting data center tax breaks, study says

A new report from Good Jobs First reveals that 14 US states, including South Carolina, fail to disclose the revenue lost to data center tax breaks, despite growing public scrutiny of the industry. This lack of transparency comes as some states lose over $1 billion annually to such incentives, and data centers face heightened opposition over electricity, water, and land usage. Maine recently approved a statewide moratorium on large data centers, reflecting a trend of lawmakers considering limits on these incentives.

government electricity water moratorium opposition

4/22/2026

News ClipLubbock Avalanche-Journal·Lubbock, Lubbock County, TX

Get to know about Lubbock mayoral candidate Mark McBrayer, his platforms

Lubbock mayoral candidate Mark McBrayer outlined strict criteria for future data center approvals after a hyperscale proposal was rejected and withdrawn. He stated a cautious approach, prioritizing low water/energy consumption, remote locations, no large tax abatements, and pre-secured occupants. The city council is carefully evaluating data center impacts on other cities.

zoning opposition environmental government electricity water

4/22/2026

News ClipLubbock Avalanche-Journal·Lubbock County, TX

Get to know about Lubbock mayoral candidate Stephen Sanders, his platforms

Lubbock mayoral candidate Stephen Sanders is skeptical of hyperscale data center proposals, advocating for mandatory water and energy consumption disclosure and comprehensive impact studies before approval. He believes Lubbock is not ready for such large-scale developments due to water constraints and grid stability concerns. The candidate's stance follows a rejected data center proposal in northeast Lubbock that the developer plans to resubmit.

zoning opposition environmental government electricity water

4/22/2026

News ClipIndyStar·Indianapolis, Marion County, IN

Decatur Township residents ask courts to review data center decision

Decatur Township residents in Indianapolis have filed a lawsuit seeking judicial review of a zoning decision that approved a $4 billion data center campus by Sabey Data Center Properties. The residents cite concerns about electricity and water usage, potential noise, and environmental impacts, arguing the project doesn't align with the city's comprehensive plan. This legal challenge follows the Metropolitan Development Commission's approval of the 250MW facility, which did not require a full rezoning.

zoning opposition environmental legal electricity water government

4/22/2026

News ClipPhillyVoice·Falls Township, Bucks County, PA

As data centers spread in Pa., lawmakers are proposing guardrails. Community activists want a moratorium

Pennsylvania lawmakers are proposing several bills to regulate data centers, introducing transparency measures for energy and water usage, and preventing construction costs from being passed to consumers. Meanwhile, community groups are actively demanding a three-year moratorium on new data center developments across the state due to concerns over energy bills, noise, and water pollution. The future of these proposed guardrails and the moratorium demand remains uncertain within the state legislature.

government zoning opposition environmental electricity water moratorium

Amazon Nvidia

4/22/2026

News ClipMiami Herald·Miami, Miami-Dade County, FL

‘Hiding in plain site’: An AI-ready data center is coming to a Miami neighborhood

Iron Mountain is building an "AI-ready" data center, named MIA-1, in Miami's Westview neighborhood, sparking significant concerns among local residents about its environmental impact and transparency. Residents are raising worries about potential increased utility rates and pollution, leading to skepticism despite the project being touted as an economic investment by local government bodies.

opposition environmental announcement government electricity water

Iron Mountain

4/22/2026

News ClipCardinal News·Pittsylvania County, VA

An AI data center at megasite will create 2,000 permanent positions, Pittsylvania County officials promise

Pittsylvania County officials have revealed details about an AI data center project by Stack Infrastructure at the Berry Hill megasite, promising over 2,000 permanent jobs and significant investment. At a community meeting, officials addressed public concerns regarding job creation, electric rates, and water usage, clarifying the project's limited impact on local ratepayers and water resources. A draft performance agreement for the project is expected to be finalized within two weeks.

opposition electricity water government zoning

4/22/2026

News ClipImperial Valley Press Online·Imperial County, CA

Gas spikes and geopolitics: Why the ‘Lithium Valley’ dream is charging back to life

A proposed 950,000-square-foot AI data center in California's Imperial Valley is facing fierce opposition from residents over its projected water consumption from the Colorado River. Controlled Thermal Resources (CTR), a company focused on lithium extraction, has pivoted its business model to provide geothermal power for AI data centers, leading to local tensions.

opposition water electricity

4/22/2026

News ClipSeguin Today·Guadalupe County, TX

Guadalupe County Commissioners approves CloudBurst Data Center

Guadalupe County Commissioners approved a development agreement and tax abatement for a multi-billion-dollar CloudBurst data center campus, despite significant public opposition. The decision, made in a 3-2 vote, came after four hours of public comment and debate, following an earlier deferral of the item.

government opposition electricity water zoning

4/22/2026

News ClipNonDoc·Piedmont, Kingfisher County, OK

'Establish a baseline of impact': Piedmont residents raise questions about possible data center

A proposed data center by Beltline Energy in Piedmont, Oklahoma, is stirring controversy among residents concerned about water use, noise pollution, and the city's zoning changes. While the Piedmont City Council has already created an Industrial Technology Zoning District for the project, residents and some officials are questioning the process and potential impacts ahead of further consideration. The project is currently making its way through the city's approval process.

zoning opposition environmental electricity water government

4/22/2026

News ClipTaylor Press·Hutto, Williamson County, TX

Zydeco bows out of data center

Zydeco Development has withdrawn its application for a 70-megawatt data center in Hutto, Texas, due to significant community opposition. Residents voiced concerns over zoning, environmental impacts, noise, and demands on electricity and water resources. This outcome has spurred local groups to pursue a city ordinance to restrict future data center developments near residential areas.

zoning opposition environmental electricity water

4/22/2026

News ClipQoo Media·San Jose, Santa Clara County, CA

Earth Day Won’t Matter Without These 3 Climate Moves, From EVs To Voting To Stopping Data Centers

Linda Hutchins-Knowles highlights three climate actions, including slowing high-impact development like data centers, in San José, California. Residents are concerned about the rapid development of 34 data center projects, which raise issues regarding electricity and water use, air pollution, noise, and heat. They are demanding public accountability and stronger community engagement from the city.

environmental opposition electricity water government zoning

4/22/2026

News ClipWIS News 10·Columbia, Richland County, SC

6 SC GOP governor candidates participate in second scheduled debate before June primary

Six Republican gubernatorial candidates in South Carolina debated various topics, including the contentious issue of data centers. Most candidates expressed conditional support for data centers, emphasizing the need for stricter regulations regarding their energy and water consumption, and ensuring local community input. One candidate, Rom Reddy, voiced total opposition to data centers in the state.

electricity water opposition government zoning

4/22/2026

News ClipSioux Falls Simplified·Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, SD

At-Large City Council candidates weigh in on data centers

Sioux Falls City Council candidates discussed their positions on data center development, addressing concerns about zoning, electricity rates, and water usage. One candidate sponsored an amendment restricting water use, while another highlighted a failed public campaign to repeal a data center rezoning vote.

zoning opposition electricity water government

4/22/2026

News Clipfox56.com·Scott, PA

Scott Twp. officials vote on preemptive data center zoning ordinances

Scott Township officials have passed new zoning ordinances that place significant restrictions on data centers and solar panels, confining them to an industrial zone. The amendments include limitations on noise, size, power, and water usage, aiming to deter data center development. Supervisors acted preemptively to establish regulations and meet legal requirements.

zoning government environmental electricity water

4/22/2026

News ClipThe Daily Utah Chronicle·UT

Utah officials say state needs to increase energy production

Utah officials and researchers highlight the state's urgent need to increase energy production to support a growing number of data centers, as current generation falls short of demand. Discussions at a recent seminar focused on balancing economic benefits with environmental concerns, particularly regarding water usage and the impact of relying on carbon-based energy sources.

electricity environmental water government

4/22/2026

News ClipBeloit Daily News·Janesville, Rock County, WI

Over 400 attend data center forum

Over 400 residents attended a town hall in Janesville, Rock County, focused on proposed data center developments. Speakers warned about significant environmental risks, including water demands and increased flooding, and criticized the lack of regulation and potential long-term impacts on the community. Residents were urged to engage in local decision-making to control the future of Rock County amidst these large-scale proposals.

opposition environmental water government electricity

4/22/2026

News ClipSalisbury Post·Rowan County, NC

RoCo passes data center moratorium, over 100 residents express data center opposition

The Rowan County Commissioners passed a one-year data center moratorium following significant public opposition, including protests and a petition with over 5,200 signatures. The moratorium prohibits new data center zoning but does not apply to the existing Long Ferry Road development due to state law. County officials have proposed a 'community bill of protections' to guide future data center development, addressing concerns about utilities, noise, water, and environmental impact.

moratorium opposition government zoning environmental electricity water

4/22/2026

News ClipWAPT·Jackson, Hinds County, MS

Jackson City Council weighs pause on new data centers, delays vote

The Jackson City Council met to consider a proposed temporary moratorium on new data center development, but delayed a vote on the measure. The proposal aims to give leaders time to study the potential impacts on infrastructure, environmental factors, and public health before further expansion. Opponents are concerned about air and noise pollution, and strain on existing infrastructure like water quality.

moratorium environmental government electricity water zoning opposition

Amazon

4/22/2026

News ClipThe Sum and Substance·CO

Rewritten data-center incentive bill ready for first hearing; here are its details

A significantly rewritten Colorado bill, HB 1030, offering incentives for data center development while incorporating environmental and ratepayer protections, is scheduled for its first legislative committee hearing. The bill aims to attract large data centers to Colorado through tax exemptions but includes provisions for water conservation, renewable energy use, and local zoning authority. It faces ongoing opposition from environmental and consumer groups despite the revisions.

government electricity water environmental zoning opposition

4/22/2026