Meeting the water demands of the digital age
As data centers continue to expand to meet the demands of cloud computing, AI, and digital infrastructure, their water needs—particularly for cooling—grow just as rapidly.
In many regions, this growth intersects with increasing water scarcity and aging municipal infrastructure. The solution? Collaboration. By working closely with municipalities, data center owners can develop sustainable, resilient water sourcing strategies that benefit both private and public sectors.
Why collaboration matters
Municipalities and data centers often face overlapping water challenges like:
Limited freshwater availability
Aging infrastructure
Climate-driven variability in water supply
Population and industrial growth
By aligning goals and resources, both parties can co-develop more cost-effective, sustainable and publicly supported solutions.
Key strategies for effective collaboration
Engage early and transparently
Initiate conversations with municipal water utilities and planning departments during site selection or expansion planning. Early engagement helps:
Identify potential water sources (potable, non-potable, reclaimed)
Understand local constraints and opportunities
Build trust with community stakeholders
Early engagement allows us to align infrastructure planning with long-term water availability.
Municipal Water Utility Manager
Explore alternative water sources together
Municipalities may have access to:
Reclaimed wastewater
Stormwater capture systems
Brackish or non-potable groundwater
Joint feasibility studies can uncover innovative ways to integrate these sources into data center operations.
Co-invest in infrastructure
Public-private partnerships (P3s) can help fund:
New pipelines or pumping stations
Water reuse or desalination facilities
Storage and redundancy systems
These investments can serve both the data center and the broader community, improving resilience for all.
Align on sustainability goals
Data centers often have aggressive ESG targets. Municipalities are increasingly focused on climate resilience and water equity. Collaboration can help:
Reduce reliance on potable water
Improve water reuse rates
Enhance public perception and regulatory alignment
Facilitating collaboration
At CDM Smith, we specialize in bridging the gap between private sector innovation and public sector infrastructure.
Our teams support:
Stakeholder engagement and facilitation
Integrated water resource planning
Permitting and regulatory navigation
Design and implementation of shared infrastructure
A smarter way to source water
In a world of growing water stress, collaboration isn’t just a best practice—it’s a necessity. By partnering with municipalities, data center owners can secure reliable water supplies, reduce environmental impact, and build stronger relationships with the communities they serve.