Protect Our Water: Require Independent Water Impact Reviews Before Approving New Large-Scale Data Centers Petition to State and Local Leaders We, the undersigned, call upon state and local officials to temporarily suspend approval of new large-scale data centers until independent, publicly available studies demonstrate that these facilities can operate without compromising the long-term availability and sustainability of local water resources. This petition is not opposed to technological advancement or economic development. Rather, it recognizes that water is an essential resource upon which communities, agriculture, ecosystems, and future generations depend. Why This Matters Modern data centers operate continuously and require substantial cooling. Depending on their size, design, and climate, large facilities may consume millions of gallons of water each day. Industry analyses and independent studies indicate that much of this water is consumed through evaporative cooling and is therefore unavailable for immediate reuse by local communities. As artificial intelligence and cloud computing continue to expand, water demand associated with data center operations is projected to increase significantly. At the same time, many communities are already facing population growth, drought concerns, and increasing pressure on water supplies. Communities Deserve Transparency Before additional facilities are approved, residents deserve clear answers to fundamental questions: * How much water will be consumed annually? * What sources of water will be used? * Will drinking water be used when reclaimed or recycled water alternatives are available? * What effects could these withdrawals have on aquifers, rivers, wetlands, agriculture, and existing communities? * How will water shortages or drought conditions be managed? * Who bears the long-term costs if resources become strained? We Call Upon State and Local Leaders To: 1. Require independent water-impact studies before approving new large-scale data centers. 2. Mandate full public disclosure of projected and actual water consumption. 3. Prioritize reclaimed and recycled water systems over potable drinking water whenever feasible. 4. Require comprehensive environmental reviews and public hearings. 5. Protect aquifers, rivers, wetlands, and groundwater resources from unsustainable withdrawals. 6. Ensure that residential communities, agriculture, and essential services are prioritized during periods of water scarcity. 7. Require corporations receiving public incentives to demonstrate long-term water sustainability and accountability. Responsible Growth Requires Responsible Stewardship Economic development and technological innovation should not proceed without transparent evaluation of their impacts on essential resources. Protecting water supplies is not opposition to progress—it is a commitment to ensuring that progress remains sustainable for the communities that depend upon it. Water is fundamental to life. Responsible stewardship today protects the health, security, and prosperity of future generations. Protect our water. Protect our communities. Protect our future.