Researcher explains data centers' water and power demands
The short version: A CBS 6 researcher breaks down how much power and water data centers actually consume — and why that math should matter to every ratepayer.
Our Take
Credit to WTVR CBS 6 for pulling in a researcher to actually walk through the numbers instead of just repeating industry talking points. Data centers don't just sip electricity and water — depending on size and cooling method, a single hyperscale campus can draw as much power as a mid-sized city and use millions of gallons of water a day to keep servers from overheating. That's not abstract; it shows up on local grids, in reservoir levels, and eventually on household utility bills.
What often gets lost in these segments is who's actually paying for the buildout. Utilities frequently spread the cost of new substations, transmission lines, and water infrastructure across all ratepayers, not just the tech companies leasing the racks. Local officials, meanwhile, are the ones signing the incentive deals and permits that let these facilities land in the first place — often with limited public input before ground is broken.
If you want to see how this plays out beyond one CBS 6 segment, check our facility map to find the data centers closest to you, and visit our take-action page if you want to push for more transparency on the power and water deals being cut in your community.
This is GridWatch the USA’s original commentary. The video above is the work of WTVR CBS 6, published on YouTube — full credit to the creator.