On a warm, sunny day this season, Kathryn Barnwell, a retired professor of English, walked up the street from her residence in Nanaimo, British Columbia, to engage in a discussion with the mayor. Leonard Krog, a close acquaintance of Barnwell, was stationed near the entrance to a dry wooded area, which is being considered for a data center project supported by Krog.
Expressing her concerns to Krog, Barnwell urged him to carefully consider the potential impact of the proposed data center on his political career. Krog, who has been serving as mayor since 2018, views the project as an opportunity to enhance the city’s economic landscape with future-oriented job prospects.
Although unfamiliar with data centers until three years ago, Barnwell delved into research when a nearby piece of land was rezoned for such a facility. She has since become one of the leading critics of the project in Nanaimo, citing worries shared by other local opponents about the substantial amount of municipal drinking water the 200,000-square-foot data center would require for its cooling system.
Barnwell, emphasizing the vital role of water in sustaining life on Earth, emphasized her belief that water, not data, is essential for human survival. She aligns herself with a global movement that aims to shed light on the environmental consequences of data centers at a time when the tech sector is investing significant resources in their construction.
Canada is on the brink of a surge in data center development, with governmental bodies actively attracting investors by highlighting the country’s affordable hydroelectricity and cool climate. However, the lack of regulatory frameworks to safeguard water resources poses a challenge as the country ventures into the AI-driven data center construction race.
The exponential growth in data centers, particularly driven by artificial intelligence, has led to heightened concerns about water consumption. Studies indicate that these facilities, hosting high-performance chips for AI applications, demand substantial amounts of water for cooling purposes. As the tech industry races to expand cloud and AI capabilities, the strain on water resources is expected to escalate.
Microsoft stands out among tech giants for its investments in data center infrastructure equipped for AI operations in Canada. With substantial projects underway, including the conversion of various sites into data centers supporting AI-powered products, Microsoft’s initiatives signify a significant financial commitment to this sector.
Despite municipal approvals allowing for substantial water usage in certain data centers, Microsoft emphasizes design features aimed at minimizing water consumption through innovative cooling methods involving outdoor air and rainwater recycling. The company’s focus on sustainability aligns with the industry’s evolving practices to address water usage concerns.
In contrast to international regions witnessing public resistance to data center projects over water scarcity fears, Canadian communities have shown limited opposition. However, experts caution that the unchecked expansion of data centers without adequate transparency on water consumption could pose environmental risks and strain water resources in the long run.
The lack of detailed water usage disclosures by major tech companies, coupled with resistance to transparency, raises concerns about the industry’s accountability and potential impact on water resources. As Canada embraces the AI data center trend, calls for greater oversight and responsible water management practices grow louder to ensure sustainable growth and environmental stewardship.