Data Centers Drain Public Water Supplies Illegally

In early May 2026, two data center developments in Arizona and Georgia were discovered drawing public water without authorization, escalating tensions over the technology sector's significant water consumption. Residents in these areas, already grappling with water scarcity, alerted regulators after noticing issues like low water pressure or dust control problems.

In Fayette County, Georgia, a data center campus used over 29 million gallons of unmetered and uncharged water, exceeding its agreed-upon limits and causing low water pressure for local residents. The developer, QTS, later paid a retroactive bill of $147,474 but faced no further fines. This occurred as Georgia experienced severe drought conditions, with the governor declaring a state of emergency.

Similarly, in Tucson, Arizona, a data center project used approximately 650,000 gallons of city water for dust control without proper authorization. The city had previously rejected involvement with the project due to water concerns. The developer, Beale Infrastructure, claimed a permit was issued, but city officials stated the application did not disclose water would be transported outside the service area.

These incidents reflect a broader national trend. In 2023, U.S. data centers consumed 17.4 billion gallons of water, a figure projected to rise dramatically. Concerns over water usage have prompted over 50 cities across the country to enact bans or moratoria on new data center construction.