Hillsborough County targets AI data center water use, weighs potable water ban for cooling

Hillsborough County targets AI data center water use, weighs potable water ban for coolingFacing an extreme Phase 3 water shortage, the Board of County Commissioners has unanimously directed staff to evaluate strict capacity-management policies and land use regulations for water-intensive developments.

Commissioners approved motions to evaluate water conservation policies and capacity-management strategies for water-intensive developments.

Staff will explore a regulatory framework to limit or outright prohibit the use of county potable water for data center cooling systems.

The policy review is driven by an ongoing Phase 3 extreme water shortage and public concerns over hyperscale facilities consuming up to 5 million gallons of water daily.

Separately, the board approved a $58.3 million sole-source contract with Neptune Technology Group for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) water meters.

Hillsborough County is moving to protect its stressed water resources from the massive cooling demands of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. On August 5, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved two motions directing staff to evaluate strict water conservation policies, including a potential prohibition on using county potable water for data center cooling. The policy push comes as the Florida county grapples with a Phase 3 extreme water shortage. During the meeting, residents voiced fierce opposition to the prospect of hyperscale data centers, which speakers noted can consume between 1 million and 5 million gallons of water daily and threaten the local aquifer. Commissioner Chris Boles introduced a motion directing the County Administrator and County Attorney to evaluate existing policies governing water demand for water-intensive developments. The review will identify legally available capacity-management strategies and recommend amendments to the Land Development Code and utility service requirements. Commissioner Donna Cameron Cepeda introduced a complementary motion specifically targeting data centers. The board directed staff to evaluate a regulatory framework that includes "a limit or prohibition on using County potable water for cooling purposes," aiming to preserve potable supplies for residents. The regulatory effort must navigate Florida Senate Bill 180, which restricts local governments from adopting certain land development moratoriums before October 2027. Despite these constraints, Development Services staff confirmed during the meeting that data centers are not currently an approved use under the county's land development code. Any future facility would require specific planned development zoning, allowing the county to mandate heavy engineering requirements, such as closed-loop water systems, to mitigate utility impacts. Acknowledging the severe drought, Commissioner Joshua Wostal emphasized the need for staff to have the authority to restrict permitting and certificates of occupancy for water-intensive projects during inclement weather or natural events. The board will also review the Southwest Florida Water Management District's (SWFWMD) Water Star program to potentially reduce the potable capacity needed for irrigation. Staff are expected to return with a report and recommendations within 120 to 150 days. In a separate consent agenda action highlighting the county's focus on water management and conservation, the board approved a $58.3 million sole-source contract to Neptune Technology Group for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) water meters and associated software for the Water Resources Department.