On a scorching summer day, Kathryn Barnwell, a retired English professor, walked up the road from her residence in Nanaimo, B.C., to confront Mayor Leonard Krog, a long-time acquaintance supporting a proposed data center project on a dry wooded lot.
Expressing her concerns to Krog, Barnwell highlighted the potential impact of the data center on his political career, emphasizing the need to contemplate its significance. Krog, serving as mayor since 2018, views the project as an opportunity to revamp the city’s economy by attracting future-oriented job opportunities.
Initially unfamiliar with data centers, Barnwell delved into research upon the rezoning of a nearby land parcel for the facility. Now a vocal opponent in Nanaimo, she, along with other locals, worries about the substantial amount of municipal drinking water required for the data center’s cooling system, particularly in a drought-prone region.
Amid the global movement spotlighting the environmental repercussions of data centers, Barnwell’s activism resonates with similar concerns worldwide. With Canada emerging as a hub for data center expansions driven by the tech industry’s massive investments, the lack of regulatory oversight poses challenges in safeguarding the nation’s water resources.
As the data center landscape evolves with the integration of artificial intelligence, water-intensive cooling systems become essential for sustaining the operations of these facilities. Studies indicate the significant water consumption associated with both energy production and cooling requirements, shedding light on the escalating water usage by data centers globally.
Microsoft stands out among tech giants by spearheading data center developments in Canada, with significant investments in AI-capable facilities. Despite facing minimal opposition, the water consumption implications of these projects raise critical environmental concerns, prompting calls for enhanced transparency and accountability within the industry.
The absence of detailed water usage disclosures by major tech players, coupled with resistance to transparency, underscores the urgency for industry-wide reforms to ensure sustainable operations and mitigate the environmental impact of data centers. In the face of mounting challenges, stakeholders emphasize the pivotal role of responsible practices to align economic growth with environmental stewardship.