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Data Centers Expanding into Water-Stressed, Vulnerable Communities in California

A new report by Iris Stewart-Frey, Irina Raicu (SCU Markkula Center for Applied Ethics), and the nonpartisan think tank Next 10 finds that California’s rapidly expanding data center industry is increasingly locating facilities in socio-economically vulnerable and water-scarce regions, raising concerns about long-term water sustainability and the impact on at-risk communities. The report is the first comprehensive analysis of every known operating and planned data center in California through a combined water access and social vulnerability lens. The authors also find that publicly available information on data centers’ water use and their environmental impacts is extremely limited, making it difficult for communities, water providers, and policymakers to fully understand and plan for these demands. The report concludes that while data centers are an essential part of California’s digital economy, their continued expansion must be accompanied by stronger transparency, more consistent environmental review, and integrated planning that considers water, energy, and community impacts together. With more comprehensive data and inclusive decision-making, California has the opportunity to align data center growth with its broader climate, water, and environmental justice goals. The report was discussed by several radio stations and news outlets, including CalMatters, The Desert Review, The Cool Down, and the Imperial Valley Press.