Iowa Data Centers: Energy & Water Monitoring

Here’s a breakdown of the ​key details from the ⁤provided text:

Microsoft’s Water Usage:

* Amount: Microsoft’s‍ West‍ Des⁣ Moines data centers used 48,751,325 gallons of water (through September ⁢2025).
* Purpose: The water is used for evaporative cooling.
* Future Plans: ⁤Microsoft aims to be “water ⁢positive” by 2030, focusing on increasing water use efficiency, implementing water recycling projects, and rainwater harvesting. They are also using advanced liquid cooling systems in newer data centers that recycle water in a closed loop, reducing the need‌ for evaporation.

West Des⁣ Moines Water Works:

* The lawn watering ​ban was implemented⁢ regardless of data center water usage.
* They ⁢consider Microsoft‍ a “great corporate partner,” citing a $25 ‌million investment in water infrastructure (Adams Street water tower and Aquifer ⁣Storage and recovery Well).

Concerns & Perspectives:

* Sierra Club (Wally Taylor): Concerned about both the energy and water demands of data centers.
* DNR Permitting: The Sierra Club believes the iowa Department of Natural Resources’ process for ⁣granting water withdrawal permits (required ⁢for usage over 25,000 gallons/day) isn’t‍ rigorous enough.