Require Submission of a Water-Conservation Plan

Large-quantity water users must submit a water-conservation plan. Require independent review to evaluate whether the water-conservation plan will reduce the consumption of water, over what time period, and the impact this will have on residents and the environment. Options include the following:

Water Efficiency Measures

Require data centers to minimize water demand through efficiency measures such as efficient airflow to reduce overall cooling needs, closed-loop cooling systems, and immersion cooling.

Water Replacement

Ordinance must specify that water should be fully replaced. The water replacement should benefit the watershed that blue sources are being drawn from.

Recycled Water Offset Requirements

Require large-quantity water users that consume on average more than 100,000 gallons of water per day for at least five days out of the year to offset their use by using recycled or conserved water for at least 50 percent of their water demand.

Note: Cities can require data centers to invest in infrastructure to meet recycled water requirements. This requirement will depend on a jurisdiction’s recycled water-treatment facilities, infrastructure, and goals.