Data Centers and Rivers: Protecting Clean Water and River Health

The rapid proliferation of data centers is placing an unsustainable burden on rivers and the communities that rely on them. While these facilities promise jobs and tax revenue, they also raise serious concerns about impacts on river health and community water security.

Data centers require enormous amounts of water and energy to keep servers cool and running, placing added stress on local rivers and water supplies. These massive facilities are often proposed in floodplains or near sensitive ecosystems, where their construction can alter land use, increase flooding risks, and degrade water quality. A lack of transparency and consistent reporting makes it difficult for communities to fully understand these impacts — leaving both ecosystems and public health at risk.

By asking critical questions, implementing strong safeguards, and learning from other communities, watershed advocates and local leaders can help shape more responsible data center development in their regions. The examples and tools in this guidance demonstrate that thoughtful community engagement, transparent dialogue, and enforceable agreements can hold data centers accountable as environmental stewards of local rivers and ecosystems, and responsible neighbors recognizing that people will depend on these resources for generations to come.