Questions about artificial intelligence and jobs, ethics, even the end of humanity may be swirling through the ethernet right now but folks in the San Joaquin Valley want to know: What about the water? Proposals for two “mini” AI data centers on the fairgrounds in Tulare and Kings counties recently generated a firestorm of questions and angry comments. They are far from approval, but residents fear the notorious power and water guzzling centers will drain already stressed water supplies. Whether they would depends on a lot of factors, including the size and type of data center. One thing is certain, whatever water they use, it must be accounted for, according to water managers.

Other data center water use news:

• The Modesto Bee (Calif.): Stanislaus County leaders don’t have firm position on data centers. ‘It’s premature’
• Daily Independent (Sun City, Ariz.): Gilbert looks to tighten data center regulations amid water, power concerns
• Smart Water Magazine: Opinion: The last drop is a myth
• BGR: Blog: Do data centers pollute local groundwater?​​