AI Data Centers in the Mountain West: Water Use Concerns
As AI data centers multiply across the Mountain West, concerns over water use are growing. These data centers require large amounts of water for cooling, sparking fears over water supplies in drought-stricken areas.
A commercial real estate broker, Brian Armon, visited the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center, where global tech giants are building data centers. Armon pointed out various structures, including Vantage Data Centers and EdgeCore, a data center under construction.
"Directions to 255 USA Parkway,"
Armon asked his phone's AI assistant, which responded with a virtual map and a traffic report. The area is being transformed into the backbone of the internet, with flat-roof buildings and construction equipment dotting the landscape.
The rapid development of AI data centers in the Mountain West has raised concerns about the region's water supplies. With many areas already experiencing drought, the increased water demand from these data centers is a growing concern.
Author's summary: AI data centers are multiplying in the Mountain West, raising concerns over water use.
- AI data centers require large amounts of water for cooling
- Many data centers are being built in drought-stricken areas of the Mountain West
- Concerns over water supplies are growing in the region