Cleveland Akron, OH, September 16, 2026 — A recent examination of water consumption by data centers in Ohio has highlighted significant water usage, particularly in the Columbus and New Albany regions. These facilities are drawing large volumes of water, leading to discussions about management practices and transparency.

The investigation found that some data centers are major consumers of local water resources. In New Albany, Google’s data center alone reportedly used over 1 billion gallons of water in a single year. This figure is noted to exceed the water consumption of several nearby suburban communities.

However, obtaining exact figures for data center water usage is reportedly challenging. Industry secrecy and state-level confidentiality laws are cited as reasons that hinder the full disclosure of precise consumption data. This lack of readily available information complicates efforts to fully understand the impact of these facilities on local water supplies.

Local water officials are actively monitoring the situation. In the Columbus service area, data center water usage currently accounts for approximately 3% of the total consumption. While this percentage represents a portion of overall usage, water authorities are looking towards future solutions and strategies.

Efforts are underway to explore and implement more sustainable water management practices. Among the potential solutions being considered is the use of recycled wastewater. In addition to technological solutions, there is a growing advocacy for greater transparency from data center operators and the adoption of comprehensive sustainable water management strategies within the state.


Story summarized from the original created by Michelle Jarboe on www.news5cleveland.com, see more information here.

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