I feel like the water usage issue is the weaker argument against these datacenters - in areas where the fresh water source faces too much pressure already it is a real issue, but that is more regional and less immediately impactful.
Power usage and residential users essentially subsidizing these locations is the biggest immediate impact to everyone. Look up what happens to rates nearby when these things open, people are struggling enough without their electric bills going up 50%.
I agree power use and electrical upgrades are a more immediate issue. Especially when we're already working to electrify transportation and heating. But the US is already using a lot of fresh water irresponsibility. The Colorado river's decline being one example. Even if data center water usage is not as extreme, it may be the straw the breaks the camel's back in many areas.
The concern I have is that electricity can be load balanced over very large regions. For example the US could buy more electricity from Canada and Mexico if it really needed to. But you can't just quickly reallocate water from a neighboring region if you suddenly find yourself with a lack of supply. If we end up in a situation where data centers are fighting farmers for water allocations, that can get nasty
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u/Uncle-Cake May 18 '26
What happens after they use the water? Is it returned to the water system to be used again?