The Poway City Council unanimously approved to ban large, third-party data centers used for artificial intelligence applications throughout the city. The ordinance approved by council members on a second reading Oct. 6 amends the Poway Municipal Code and the South Poway Specific Plan to prohibit data centers in all zones of the city. … A staff report stated there is increasing evidence that these types of data centers use significant water and electricity and result in a strain on water and electricity infrastructure, and have an adverse impact on utility rates. Additionally, concerns include potential negative impacts on air quality, noise and increased fire risks.

Other data center water use news:

• ABC15 (Phoenix): Why Arizona is now a hotspot for data center construction, and what residents want to change
• The Nevada Independent: Some Nevada unions love data centers. Now they just have to convince everyone else.
• Los Angeles Times: Opinion: Data centers consume like cities. They should contribute like cities as well