Valid Fears Grow Over Missouri Water and New Data Centers

I have been one of the more vocal people about how data centers in Missouri are driving up utility bills. Many added their voice to mine and said these new technology centers are also endangering Missouri's natural water and they are not wrong.

I brought up the topic just a couple weeks ago about how Missourians should demand that existing and new data centers should be forced to pay the extra energy cost instead of that being passed down to residents. I had many comment that utility bills aren't the only problem as they have concerns about Missouri's water. I've done some digging and they are absolutely right.

Here are some numbers from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute:

• Some data centers require 5 million gallons per day, equivalent to the water use of a town populated by 10,000 to 50,000 people
• Some of the newer data centers are tapping into freshwater sources
• The water is needed to cool processor chips used in AI computations

It doesn't have to be this way. When I have built computer systems myself over the years, I've dealt with the need for good cooling solutions and water is one of the possibilities. However, water cooling can be done in what is called a "closed loop" configuration which greatly reduces the need for new water, but just recirculates the water already being used. That doesn't completely eliminate how these data centers can impact natural Missouri freshwater sources, but it can at least greatly reduce it.

I understand that technology is always advancing and some data centers are necessary for the increased use of AI, but I don't understand why they're being allowed to drive utility costs up for regular people like you and I and being given access to the water that we all rely on and sometimes enjoy. There has to be a better way otherwise those who fear Missouri's water is in jeopardy may realize their worst nightmare.