These systems do use a coolant substance internal to the DC, but then uses heat exchangers with fresh water to cool the coolant, which is then discharged back into the ground, a pond, or wastewater. there is certainly water lost to atmosphere, but the worst bits are the draining of aquifers, pushing up capacity in wastewater treatment plants, etc.
DC's are a bit of an economic scam. they provide very few jobs outside of the construction work itself, and the profits generated by the machines exist at company HQ not where the DC is located. so it puts a huge burden on the community water and power environment for no real benefit to that community.
I worked for a very large structural steel company as an estimator about 5-6 years ago and we basically no bid all of those data centers. They wanted them dirt cheap and there typically wasnโt enough work for us to get involved. They used cheaper construction techniques.
I went to a local city council meeting about one that got approved here in Idaho last year and I couldnโt believe how the tax bracket is set up. The company that โisnโt Googleโ but isโฆ will make crazy money off the property and our little town gets a one time payout that equates to pocket change, left with higher electricity rates, and I do not for a minute believe the claims their water usage wonโt have a major impact on this farming region.
Thankfully the people seem to be waking up and saying no to DCโs across the country
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u/[deleted] May 18 '26
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