The heat is starting to break, but plants are still wilted, and we are still conscious that water is precious — especially in California and other states in the West. Meanwhile, data centers here are sprouting like mushrooms after the rain.

And data centers require a lot of water.

In Silicon Valley, more than 55 data centers operate in the city of Santa Clara alone, and more have already been approved, according to the city. As generative AI floods into multiple aspects of our lives (work, health care, education, entertainment, access to information, companionship, national security, etc.), the need for powerful data centers grows.

Some are cooled with air; some use recycled water; many, however, require drinking-quality water for cooling. (And cooling is only part of the demand; ultra-

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