Pinellas County weighs water restrictions to block data center development

Pinellas County weighs water restrictions to block data center developmentFacing state-level preemptions on land use changes, commissioners are investigating whether targeted industrial water use limits could prevent high-demand data centers from straining local water supplies.

Commissioners expressed concern that large data centers could consume up to 150 million gallons of water per month.

The board is exploring water use ordinances as a workaround to Florida's Senate Bill 180, which limits local government changes to land use codes.

Staff will research potential unintended consequences of commercial water limits on essential facilities like hospitals, power plants, and waste management operations.

The county is also evaluating the environmental impacts of data centers potentially using and discharging bay saltwater for cooling.

County Administrator Barry Burton expects staff to present research on water policies and potential restrictions by July or August.

During a May 14, 2026, work session, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners discussed leveraging water restrictions to potentially block the development of large data centers within the county. The discussion was prompted by concerns over the massive resource requirements of data infrastructure. Commissioner Chris Scherer noted that while a small facility might use 3 million gallons of water a month, a large data center can consume up to 150 million gallons monthly. The board expressed concern that such high industrial demand could threaten water supplies needed for hospitals, emergency services, and residential use. The county is exploring water-specific ordinances as a strategic workaround to Florida's Senate Bill 180 (SB 180), which restricts local governments from altering land use or development codes. Because SB 180 is silent on water use, Scherer suggested that implementing new water restrictions, imposing substantial impact fees, or denying excessive commercial water use requests could effectively prevent data center development even if zoning rights are granted. However, the board acknowledged the complexity of regulating commercial water use without causing unintended consequences. Commissioner Kathleen Peters highlighted that modern data centers are increasingly looping water to reduce consumption. She warned that blanket water restrictions could inadvertently harm other critical infrastructure that relies on water for cooling chillers, such as hospitals, power companies, and the county's own waste management facilities. The board also touched upon alternative cooling methods, noting industry inquiries about potentially utilizing saltwater from the bay. Peters noted that such a move would require strict environmental oversight to ensure the heated water is properly cooled before being discharged back into the bay, similar to regulations governing local power plants. County Administrator Barry Burton confirmed that staff will investigate the county's municipal service agreements, Tampa Bay Water agreements, and overall water usage policies. The administration plans to compile this research and present actionable ideas on water restrictions to the board by July or August.