Sources

Data Center Water Tracker: sources

Every citation behind the tracker, in one place. Each entry states its publisher and links to the original. Nothing on the tracker is published without one.

160 citations 125 organizations 77 measures Updated August 26, 2026

• akcenter.org https://akcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Data-Centers-Whitepaper_The-Alaska-Center_January-2026.pdf
• api.congress.gov https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/119
• api.legiscan.com https://api.legiscan.com/
• api.waterdata.usgs.gov https://api.waterdata.usgs.gov/
• atlantanewsfirst.com https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2026/07/13/records-raise-questions-about-georgias-largest-data-center-its-water-use/
• awwa.org https://www.awwa.org/wp-content/uploads/AWWA-Cooling-the-Cloud-Water-Utilities-in-a-Data-Driver-World.pdf
• bondbuyer.com https://www.bondbuyer.com/news/ohio-mulls-data-center-rules-as-wisconsin-lawmakers-stall
• brockovichdatacenter.com https://www.brockovichdatacenter.com/
• brockovichdatacenter.com https://www.brockovichdatacenter.com/community-and-legislation.html
• businessrecord.com https://www.businessrecord.com/energy-water-use-under-close-watch-as-data-centers-expand-in-iowa/
• buttedatacenterinfo.com https://www.buttedatacenterinfo.com/water
• c-win.org https://www.c-win.org/cwin-water-blog/2024/9/23/california-almond-water-usage-updated
• cbsnews.com https://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/coweta-county-residents-file-appeal-to-stop-massive-data-center-on-protected-rural-land/
• cbsnews.com https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/inside-lowell-markley-data-center/
• centralmaine.com https://www.centralmaine.com/2026/02/18/new-details-emerge-about-proposed-southern-maine-data-center/
• cga.ct.gov https://www.cga.ct.gov/2025/etdata/TMY/2025SB-01292-R000218-Phelps,%20Chris,%20State%20Director-Environment%20Connecticut--TMY.PDF
• chefdeproduit.com https://www.chefdeproduit.com/DOC/google-2025-esg.pdf
• circleofblue.org https://www.circleofblue.org/
• circleofblue.org https://www.circleofblue.org/2025/supply/data-centers-a-small-but-growing-factor-in-arizonas-water-budget/
• circleofblue.org https://www.circleofblue.org/2025/water-energy/new-era-of-confrontation-between-energy-and-water-opens-in-great-lakes/
• circleofblue.org https://www.circleofblue.org/2026/fresh-great-lakes/great-lakes-states-face-a-data-center-governance-gap/
• circleofblue.org https://www.circleofblue.org/2026/water-energy/the-ai-boom-is-prolonging-indianas-fossil-fuel-era-with-hidden-costs-for-water/
• citizenportal.ai https://citizenportal.ai/articles/8445369/hawaii/hawaii-county/hawaii-county-committee-forwards-bill-170-to-planning-commissions-after-widespread-public-testimony-opposing-data-centers
• citizenportal.ai https://citizenportal.ai/articles/8693835/maryland/baltimore-county/mde-state-has-not-issued-a-data-center-water-appropriation-permit-counties-sometimes-allocate-existing-permits
• clarionledger.com https://www.clarionledger.com/story/business/2025/06/10/amazon-will-expand-use-of-recycled-water-for-mississippi-data-center-project/84114276007/
• coloradopolitics.com https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2026/05/24/tapped-is-water-a-problem-for-data-centers-in-colorado/
• compass.beg.utexas.edu https://compass.beg.utexas.edu/files/publications/Water_Requirements_for_DC_White_Paper.pdf
• congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2940
• congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5227
• congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5332
• congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6900
• congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6984/text
• congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7858
• congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/8033
• congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/8037
• congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/9372
• congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/9419
• congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/9442
• congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/9629
• congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/9777
• congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/9825
• congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3269
• congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3737
• congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3852
• congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/4214
• congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/5054
• congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R49057
• congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/R/PDF/R49057/R49057.1.pdf
• content.leg.colorado.gov https://content.leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/r26-49-data-center-impacts-on-economy-and-the-environment-accessible.pdf
• controlassociatesinc.com https://controlassociatesinc.com/blog/data-center-water-regulation-2026
• covnews.com https://www.covnews.com/news/county/data-centers-take-center-stage-in-udo-draft/
• cowboystatedaily.com https://cowboystatedaily.com/2026/05/08/as-data-centers-boom-wyomingites-want-to-know-where-the-waters-coming-from/
• dakotafreepress.com https://dakotafreepress.com/2026/07/31/data-centers-may-not-drain-future-water-supply/
• datacenterdynamics.com https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/microsoft-claims-water-positivity-across-data-center-operations/
• datacenterwatch.org https://www.datacenterwatch.org/
• datacenterwatch.org https://www.datacenterwatch.org/q1-2026
• deq.nd.gov https://deq.nd.gov/PublicComment/NDPDES-Jamestown-20240615.pdf
• dispatch.com https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2026/07/06/columbus-area-data-centers-used-1-2-billion-gallons-of-water-in-a-year/90664392007/
• dnr.wisconsin.gov https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/sites/default/files/topic/WaterUse/WithdrawalReport/2024.pdf
• documents.dnrec.delaware.gov https://documents.dnrec.delaware.gov/Admin/Public-Notices/CCE20250425/Comments/1-12-26-Theresa-T.pdf
• eenews.net https://www.eenews.net/articles/states-push-to-end-secrecy-over-data-center-water-use/
• eli.org https://www.eli.org/sites/default/files/files-pdf/Data%20Centers%20and%20Water%20Fact%20Sheet%20ELI%20January%202026%20(1).pdf
• epa.gov https://www.epa.gov/waterreuse/water-reuse-case-study-quincy-washington
• esgdive.com https://www.esgdive.com/news/microsoft-claims-2025-water-replenishment-milestone/823666/
• eta.lbl.gov https://eta.lbl.gov/publications/2024-lbnl-data-center-energy-usage-report
• federalregister.gov https://www.federalregister.gov/
• files.dep.state.pa.us https://files.dep.state.pa.us/PublicParticipation/Citizens%20Advisory%20Council/CACPortalFiles/Meetings/2026_01/Data%20Center%20Water%20Use%20Presentation.pdf
• flsenate.gov https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/484
• foodandwaterwatch.org https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/
• foodandwaterwatch.org https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/RPT2_2602_DataCenterMoratorium.pdf
• fortworthreport.org https://fortworthreport.org/2026/07/08/zoning-commissioners-deny-data-center-rules-return-ordinance-to-fort-worth-city-council/
• gcsaa.org https://www.gcsaa.org/docs/default-source/Environment/phase-2-water-use-survey-full-report.pdf?sfvrsn=2b39123e_4
• governor.ny.gov https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/first-statewide-moratorium-new-hyperscale-data-centers-launched-governor-kathy-hochul
• govtech.com https://www.govtech.com/products/minnesota-data-center-debate-turns-to-water-consumption
• govtrack.us https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/119/s4213/text/is
• greatlakes.org https://greatlakes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AGL_WaterUse_Report_Aug2025_Final.pdf
• greenpeace.org https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaign-updates/
• greenpeace.org https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/data-centers-are-making-you-pay-for-big-techs-boom/
• grist.org https://grist.org/technology/utah-data-center-water-supply-meta-novva/
• harcresearch.org https://harcresearch.org/
• hcn.org https://www.hcn.org/issues/57-8/the-wests-data-centers-suck-water-and-power/
• idahostatesman.com https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/business/article304464416.html
• iea.blob.core.windows.net https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/34eac603-ecf1-464f-b813-2ecceb8f81c2/EnergyandAI.pdf
• indepthnh.org https://indepthnh.org/2026/02/11/lawmakers-want-to-ban-data-center-construction-for-a-year/
• itif.org https://itif.org/publications/2026/07/06/the-data-center-water-problem-is-soluble/
• jlarc.virginia.gov https://jlarc.virginia.gov/pdfs/reports/Rpt598-2.pdf
• kgun9.com https://www.kgun9.com/news/community-inspired-journalism/southeast-side-news/well-permits-disclose-how-project-blue-will-get-its-water
• ksat.com https://www.ksat.com/news/ksat-investigates/2026/07/28/texas-law-shields-san-antonio-area-data-center-water-usage-from-public-records-requests/
• kwtx.com https://www.kwtx.com/2026/06/24/lawmakers-demand-answers-texas-data-centers-water-use/
• law.berkeley.edu https://www.law.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/archive/2026/02/Regulating-Data-Center-Water-Use-in-CA_Report_CLEE-2026.pdf
• le.utah.gov https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/hbillenr/HB0076.pdf
• legiscan.com https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/SB135/2026
• localmemphis.com https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/groundbreaking-set-xais-greywater-facility/522-1ff007b2-273d-4df9-9dfa-183e1c741b65
• macon.com https://www.macon.com/news/environment/article314935084.html
• miamiherald.com https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article315410682.html
• michigan.gov https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/geologic-resources-management/groundwater/water-use/reporting/water-use-data
• microsoft.com https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-cloud/blog/2024/12/09/sustainable-by-design-next-generation-datacenters-consume-zero-water-for-cooling/
• montanafreepress.org https://montanafreepress.org/2026/02/12/as-ai-investors-eye-montana-for-new-data-centers-communities-brace-for-water-impacts/
• morrisoninstitute.asu.edu https://morrisoninstitute.asu.edu/sites/g/files/litvpz841/files/2025-09/Large-Volume%20Water%20User%20Ordinances%20090525_revised2.pdf
• multistate.us https://www.multistate.us/insider/2026/3/3/state-data-center-water-usage-legislation-gains-momentum
• nebraskaexaminer.com https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/07/09/data-centers-can-guzzle-serious-water-as-some-nebraskans-worry-tech-giants-seek-solutions/
• nevadacurrent.com https://nevadacurrent.com/2026/05/27/nye-county-water-board-pushes-data-center-moratorium/
• news.azpm.org https://news.azpm.org/p/news-articles/2026/8/6/230756-tucson-approves-new-regulations-for-large-scale-data-centers/
• newsfromthestates.com https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/developer-proposes-hyperscale-data-center-former-eastern-kentucky-steel-mill
• newsweek.com https://www.newsweek.com/texas-data-center-water-artificial-intelligence-2107500
• nmlegis.gov https://www.nmlegis.gov/handouts/WNR%20102925%20Item%205%20OSE%20Data%20Centers%20Energy%20and%20Water%20Use.pdf
• nypost.com https://nypost.com/2026/06/16/opinion/everyone-is-afraid-of-ai-data-centers-have-become-the-ultimate-scapegoat/
• okhouse.gov https://www.okhouse.gov/posts/news-20260806_2
• opb.org https://www.opb.org/article/2026/01/23/the-dalles-mayor-data-center-google/
• phoenixnewtimes.com https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/how-much-water-will-chandlers-data-center-project-use-40627750/
• potomacriver.org https://www.potomacriver.org/focus-areas/water-resources-and-drinking-water/water-resources/planning/data-centers-and-water-use-in-the-potomac-river-basin/
• pressdemocrat.com https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2025/07/15/meta-built-a-new-data-center-in-georgia-their-neighbors-water-ran-dry/
• protectingtaxpayers.org https://www.protectingtaxpayers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Arkansas.pdf
• pub.njleg.state.nj.us https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/publications/budget/governors-budget/2027/dep_follow_up_response_sba.pdf
• puc.sd.gov https://puc.sd.gov/commission/dockets/electric/2024/EL24-027/CondUsePermit.pdf
• readfrontier.org https://www.readfrontier.org/stories/as-data-centers-boom-in-oklahoma-so-does-water-demand/
• sanangelolive.com https://sanangelolive.com/news/san-angelo/2026-06-16/san-angelo-city-council-adopts-water-use-regulations-data-centers
• savrn.com https://savrn.com/blog/49-billion-gallon-mirage
• sciencebase.gov https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/5af3311be4b0da30c1b245d8
• sdpb.org https://www.sdpb.org/business-economics/2025-05-02/company-says-data-center-could-bring-millions-to-state-deuel-county
• securewater.illinois.edu https://securewater.illinois.edu/data-center-expansion-in-virginia-closing-critical-gaps-for-informed-water-planning-and-permitting/
• sentinelcolorado.com https://sentinelcolorado.com/metro/aurora-considers-targeted-regulations-for-new-data-centers-amidst-growing-concerns/
• shawlocal.com https://www.shawlocal.com/news/2026/07/10/questions-arise-over-data-centers-water-usage-illinois-considers-mandating-water-efficient-cooling-systems/
• sierraclub.org https://www.sierraclub.org/spg-data
• snopes.com https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/erin-brockovich-data-center-maps/
• spokesman.com https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/jul/26/where-agriculture-meets-technology-inside-the-smal/
• srbc.gov https://www.srbc.gov/regulatory/data-centers/
• srbc.gov https://www.srbc.gov/waav/Search/getdocket?projectnumber=20260301&documenttype=Approval&isabre=False
• srbc.gov https://www.srbc.gov/waav/Search/getpending?projectnumber=2024-056&documenttype=Application&isabre=False
• sustainability.aboutamazon.com https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/products-services/aws-cloud
• sustainability.atmeta.com https://sustainability.atmeta.com/
• sustainability.atmeta.com https://sustainability.atmeta.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Meta_2025-Environmental-Data-Index.pdf
• sustainability.google https://sustainability.google/operating-sustainably/
• tapinto.net https://www.tapinto.net/towns/phillipsburg/sections/government/articles/lopatcong-planning-board-refers-recommendations-on-rules-on-data-centers-to-town-council
• tapsrundry.com https://www.tapsrundry.com/georgia-water-study
• tennessean.com https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2026/08/03/meta-gallatin-data-center-water-use/91076823007/
• texastribune.org https://www.texastribune.org/2026/08/26/austin-data-center-rules/
• thetexasdispatch.com https://thetexasdispatch.com/blanco-pedernales-water-district-data-center-resolution-2026/
• trellis.net https://trellis.net/article/behind-amazons-industry-leading-water-efficiency-score/
• twdb.texas.gov https://www.twdb.texas.gov/waterplanning/swp/
• U.S. Geological Survey https://doi.org/10.5066/F7TB15V5
• usgs.gov https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources/science/accessing-water-use-data/
• viewfromtherockies.com https://viewfromtherockies.com/data-centers-are-better-than-dairies-for-new-mexico/
• virginiamercury.com https://virginiamercury.com/2026/06/19/four-va-counties-will-pump-almost-20-million-gallons-of-water-a-day-to-amazon-cause-for-concern/
• vpm.org https://www.vpm.org/generalassembly/2026-06-25/virginia-data-centers-water-usage-srinivasan-yob-wortzel
• vpm.org https://www.vpm.org/news/2026-07-28/virginia-study-on-groundwater-data-centers-calls-for-tighter-water-regulations
• vtdigger.org https://vtdigger.org/2026/02/24/vermont-plugs-into-the-data-center-conversation/
• waterdata.usgs.gov https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ri/nwis/wu
• watereducation.org https://www.watereducation.org/aquafornia-news/southern-nevada-data-centers-used-ton-water-2024-heres-how
• wdbj7.com https://www.wdbj7.com/2026/08/19/google-data-center-capped-2m-gallons-water-until-infrastructure-upgrades/
• western-water.com https://www.western-water.com/2026/08/04/data-center-water-fight-heads-to-imperial-county-court/
• westvirginiawatch.com https://westvirginiawatch.com/2026/03/11/wv-senate-passes-data-center-rules-with-new-language-urging-developers-to-study-potential-water-use/
• wfyi.org https://www.wfyi.org/statewide/2026-07-06/indiana-counties-data-center-moratoriums-bans-2026
• whyy.org https://whyy.org/articles/data-centers-water-usage/
• wptv.com https://www.wptv.com/wptv-investigates/activists-worry-data-center-proposal-near-arden-could-drain-massive-amounts-of-water-energy
• wral.com https://www.wral.com/news/local/north-carolina-data-center-boom-where-does-water-go-june-2026/
• wrdw.com https://www.wrdw.com/2026/07/25/no-wells-noise-limits-columbia-county-outlines-rules-google-data-centers/
• wwmt.com https://wwmt.com/news/local/amazon-data-center-dewatering-proposal-changed-altered-million-gallons-water-drain-ditch-niespondziany-community-concern-farmers-planting-season-impact-frustration-new-carlisle-st-joseph-county-indiana
• yahoo.com https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/gigawatt-data-center-proposal-draws-212106926.html
• yahoo.com https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/proposed-maine-data-center-ban-124716119.html

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