In water rights law, Iowa is considered a hybrid between “Riparian” (Eastern U.S.) and Prior Appropriation (Western U.S.) law.
All waters in Iowa are “public waters and public wealth” of its citizens.
Use a permit system for anyone using >25,000 gallons of water per day, any single day of the year.
Data Center Water and Groundwater Impacts
Estimate ~2.2 billion gallons per year used in Iowa for cooling data centers.
Expected to more than double in near future (data centers currently planned in Van Meter, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Council Bluffs...), as long as we continue to use our phones, laptops, watches, socials, smart tvs, etc.
Most will be liquid cooled and use municipal water for supply.
Data Center needs:
Power
Water
Infrastructure
Space
Water Availability
In the Dubuque
Area “May Be
Limiting Factor”
Michael K. Anderson, P.E., Iowa Water Use Program – IA DNR