The Impact of Data Centers on Great Lakes Communities

As data centers proliferate in the Great Lakes region, local communities are increasingly concerned about their water consumption and environmental impact. In May 2024, Aligned Data Centers began construction on its NEO-01 facility in Perkins Township, Ohio, which is expected to draw significant water resources. Tom Hermes, a local farmer, expressed apprehension about the data center's potential to strain municipal water supplies, stating, “They’re not good, I know that.” The Great Lakes, particularly Lake Erie, are experiencing a long-term decline in water levels, with decreases of two to four feet since 2019. This situation raises alarms as data centers, which require substantial water for cooling, emerge as new consumers in an already stressed ecosystem.

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The trend of data center construction is not limited to Ohio. Microsoft is building a data center in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, projected to use 8.4 billion gallons of municipal water annually from Lake Michigan. Similar projects are underway in Hobart, Indiana, and Benton Harbor, Michigan, where residents are voicing concerns over environmental pollution and increased traffic. Kirsten James, senior program director for water at Ceres, noted that the Great Lakes region is becoming increasingly data-center dense, which conflicts with local water resource planning efforts.

The Guardian

Local opposition to data centers has emerged in various communities. In Fife Lake, Michigan, residents successfully halted a proposed data center, reflecting a growing resistance against such developments. However, data center companies have countered these efforts through legal means. In Saline Township, Michigan, OpenAI and Oracle sued local authorities to proceed with a facility that would consume 1.4 gigawatts of electricity. Critics, including the Detroit Free Press editorial board, condemned this move as undermining local governance and community interests.

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Proponents of data centers argue that they bring economic benefits, including job creation and increased tax revenue. Aligned Data Centers has reportedly contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to local entities in Perkins Township, securing a 15-year tax exemption in return. However, residents like Amanda Voegle express skepticism about the long-term benefits, citing past water pollution issues at the construction site and ongoing concerns about the facility's environmental footprint. “I’m very concerned. Is this [water] going back into the lake?” she questioned.

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While some community members appreciate the immediate economic benefits of data centers, others fear the potential long-term consequences on water resources and local ecosystems. The debate continues as more data centers are proposed, highlighting the tension between economic development and environmental stewardship in the Great Lakes region.

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• “We have city water here. That’s going to reduce the pressure if they are sucking all the water,” — Tom Hermes, Local Farmer

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• “The Great Lakes region, especially in states such as Illinois and Ohio, [is] among the most data-center dense states in the region.” — Kirsten James, Senior Program Director for Water, Ceres

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• “I don’t understand why they built it so close to the street, because it’s an eyesore,” — Amanda Voegle, Local Business Employee

The Guardian