Data Centers Face Water Planning Pressure

Organizations are developing practical tools to help communities, water providers, regulators and data center operators account for water demand during AI data center planning.

The University of Minnesota Morris received a $200,000 grant for a facility-level predictive dashboard, while the Alliance for Water Efficiency released a primer and coordination workbook focused on cooling, water use, efficiency and reuse. Together, the efforts point toward earlier utility participation and more detailed assessment of water quantity and quality before projects are designed or approved.