Growing up in a small town in New Mexico, I was surrounded by a community that thrived on cooperation and self-reliance. My family, like many others, depended on well water for our everyday needs. The bond between us was fostered by our mutual respect for the land and the vital resources it provided. However, over the years, I've witnessed how large corporations entered our region, exploiting and exhausting our water resources, affecting the very fabric of our community life.

In Arizona, similar threats loom large as data centers continue to use vast quantities of fresh, drinkable water, exacerbating the severe global water crisis we're rapidly running out of time to address. These facilities are a major drain on local water supplies, using millions of gallons daily to cool their servers, often at the expense of residents and the environment.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), data centers globally consume about 200 billion gallons of water annually for cooling processes. In Arizona, a state that faces persistent drought conditions, this practice is unsustainable and puts additional stress on already limited water resources. Freshwater is intended for human consumption, agriculture, and sustaining local ecosystems, not for cooling the machinery of tech giants.

The answer lies not in relinquishing technology but in demanding smarter solutions that prioritize sustainable practices. Alternatives such as air-cooling technologies or using recycled water from non-potable sources should be explored and implemented. Tech companies have the resources to innovate, and they must be held accountable to do so without compromising community water access.

By banning data centers from using human water resources in Arizona, we can take a significant step towards safeguarding our limited water supplies for the people, plants, and wildlife that rely on them. The time for action is now, before irreparable damage is done to our beloved state and our communities.

Join me in this crucial fight for sustainable water management. Please sign this petition to urge Arizona legislators to enact laws that protect our water resources, ensuring they are used responsibly and equitably for future generations.