Data center developments in Arizona and Georgia have been found consuming public water without authorization, further straining communities already facing water shortages. In both instances, residents discovered the unauthorized water use after experiencing issues such as low water pressure and dust control problems, prompting regulatory investigations.
Escalating Water Conflict
In 2023, U.S. data centers directly consumed 17.4 billion gallons of water, with projections indicating this could rise to between 38 and 73 billion gallons by 2028, according to the EPA. Texas, already grappling with a water crisis, is expected to see data centers consuming 49 billion gallons in 2025, potentially reaching 399 billion gallons by 2030. This alarming consumption rate equates to drawing down Lake Mead by more than 16 feet in a single year.
Community Impact
Residents in Tucson and Fayette County are among those affected by the escalating conflict over water use. Google's data centers in The Dalles, Oregon, consumed 355 million gallons in 2021, roughly a quarter of the city's total water supply. Similarly, a Meta data center in Newton County, Georgia, disrupted private wells, leaving families to haul water and replace sediment-clogged appliances.
In Fayette County, Georgia, the water system sent Quality Technology Services (QTS) a letter documenting retroactive charges of $147,474 for consuming more than 29 million gallons without proper authorization.
More than 50 cities across the country have enacted bans or moratoria on new data center construction in response to these issues. These measures aim to protect already stressed water resources and ensure that industrial-scale developments do not compromise local water supplies.