What made California's largest AI datacenter file a lawsuit over access to river water
A California-based AI data center is suing for access to Colorado River water after local municipalities rejected its request for recycled wastewater. The project, which requires significant water for cooling, faces opposition due to concerns over its impact on local agriculture.
Why it matters
It highlights the growing tension between the massive water demands of AI infrastructure and the resource needs of local agricultural communities.
California's largest planned AI data centre has filed a lawsuit to gain access to Colorado River water after its original plan to use recycled wastewater for cooling fell through. According to a report by Business Insider, the lawsuit has been filed by Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing which says that it needs around 287 million gallons of water a year to cool its proposed 330-megawatt facility, which would be the biggest AI data centre in the state. The company had earlier promised not to use Colorado River water because it expected to receive treated wastewater from nearby cities. But after two cities rejected its request, the company is now seeking access to river water, raising concerns about its impact on farming in the region.Company says wastewater rejection forced change in plansThe proposed data centre in California is said to be the state’s largest data centre.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in