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Data Centers

Most data center projects stall due to power, water, and permitting constraints. We identify and resolve those early, aligning infrastructure decisions from site evaluation through design and construction to support high‑availability operations.

Travis Marcus

Priority Lead

Travis Marcus

Contact Travis
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250+

data center projects delivered globally

Speed-to-market pathway

From early site selection through infrastructure delivery, we align several interconnected focus areas to reduce risk and accelerate schedules.

  • Site readiness
  • Power ready
  • Water ready
  • Digital innovation and operational excellence
  • Community engagement
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Achieving 99.999% reliability targets

starts with early due diligence by identifying water, power, permitting, and community constraints before they become schedule, cost, or operational risks.  

Sustainable water 

Delivering scalable water supply, treatment, reuse, and conveyance solutions that support reliable cooling and phased campus growth.

Fast, reliable power

Aligning grid infrastructure, on‑site solutions, and execution planning from initial utility coordination through energization. 

Community acceptance

Addressing public concerns, permitting scrutiny, and local priorities early to support reliable, continuous operations.

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What inspires me is the opportunity to solve complex infrastructure challenges that directly enable how the world connects to data. Data centers sit at the center of digital transformation and being part of delivering that foundation at speed, scale and with precision is what drives me.

Travis Marcus

Contact Travis

Featured data center projects


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A modern building with solar panels on its roof, surrounded by vegetation, ponds, and farmland, under a setting sun.
North America

Global due diligence for mission-critical water infrastructure 

Our team supports hyperscale data center site selection, design, and permitting worldwide with water and flood risk assessments.

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Switchyard with take-off tower and transformer under blue sky.
Switchyard with take-off tower and transformer under blue sky.
North America

Powering hyperscale data center expansion 

CDM Smith serves as EPC contractor for two substations, handling design, build, testing, and training for data center campus expansion. 

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An industrial construction site featuring large building frameworks, cranes, machinery, materials, and open land in the background.
An industrial construction site featuring large building frameworks, cranes, machinery, materials, and open land in the background.
North America

A fast-tracked FAB chemical facility 

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A facility housing water treatment equipment including cylindrical units in metal frames, a motor, and control panels, lit by industrial lighting.
A facility housing water treatment equipment including cylindrical units in metal frames, a motor, and control panels, lit by industrial lighting.
North America

Reclaimed water treatment system for a data center campus 

UF/RO system will supply ~2 mgd reclaimed water for data center cooling, including design, construction and owner’s advisor services.

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Meet our data center leaders

See what's trending

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News

CDM Smith joins WEF Water-AI Nexus Advisory Council

CDM Smith joins the Water-AI Nexus™ Center of Excellence Advisory Council, an initiative led by the Water Environment Federation (WEF) to strengthen the cross-sector collaboration at the intersection between water and artificial intelligence.
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Insight

Unlocking brackish water as a sustainable solution for data center cooling

Three people in hard hats examine industrial equipment at a water treatment facility.
Insight

Under­stand­ing if water reuse makes sense for your facility

High-voltage power lines and towers at sunset.
Insight

Solving power supply challenges for data centers

Related practices

View All Practices

Architecture

Our architects and engineers deliver quality solutions that master function, efficiency, cost-effectiveness and aesthetics.

Construction

CDM Smith is an integrated design-builder with a legacy of successful projects. We work as one entity to deliver a legendary client experience from project inceptions through design, preconstruction, construction and commissioning.

Conveyance

Whether you’re concerned about keeping existing water conveyance assets healthy or building new ones, we’re here to help you find the answers you need.

Federal Facilities

Resilient facilities enable federal agencies to maintain and enhance readiness to protect the nation. CDM Smith designs and constructs federal facilities and infrastructure around the world.

Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing & Fire Protection (MEP+FP)

We’ve completed hundreds of projects from planning and design to system start-up and commissioning, involving boilers, chillers, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), primary and secondary distribution, substations, power generation, cogeneration and sustainable/renewable energy systems.

One Water

CDM Smith has been a leader in One Water for more than two decades, developing integrated water resources strategies and advancing projects that enhance our communities and protect the natural World. 

Program Management

CDM Smith’s program management team is bringing complexity under control by building strong, enduring relationships.

Water Reuse

Water reuse is the future of water supply. CDM Smith is committed to strengthening water supply portfolios where they are most needed today and will be tomorrow.
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Ready to take the next steps?

We love collaborating with passionate individuals and organizations. If you're interested in joining our team, check our careers page for open positions or internships.

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