The Water Reality In Data Center Alley

Loudoun County, Virginia is known as Data Center Alley, the longtime epicenter of the data center industry and home to one of the world's largest concentrations of digital infrastructure.

As communities across the country debate the impact of data centers on water resources, Loudoun Water offers a rare look at what happens when a utility has decades of experience planning for and serving the industry.

The episode features conversations with utility leaders Brian Carnes, Alton Echols, and Mark Peterson, who discuss water impacts, management processes, and advice for other systems.

Despite the presence of more than 200 data centers, the utility says the sector currently accounts for about 15% of its total water use, supported by significant treatment capacity and a growing reclaimed water program.

Today, roughly 40 data centers are cooled with highly treated reclaimed water instead of drinking water, using about 700 million gallons annually. The approach helps reduce nutrient loads to the Chesapeake Bay while providing data centers with a lower-cost and more resilient water supply.

Loudoun Water says growth-related infrastructure is paid for by new customers, while detailed monitoring helps the utility understand water demand, wastewater flows, and operational impacts.

At the same time, utility leaders emphasize that Loudoun's experience is not necessarily transferable elsewhere. Its extensive infrastructure, reclaimed water network, available supplies, and long history with the data center industry make it a unique case study as utilities nationwide navigate the rapid growth of AI and digital infrastructure.

This episode is sponsored by SewerAI. From inspection to rehabilitation, SewerAI provides the tools you need to manage your entire sewer infrastructure.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.