Iowa Grapples with Balancing Data Center Boom and Environmental Concerns
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Iowa is rapidly becoming a hub for data centers, sparking a critical conversation about the balance between economic growth and responsible resource management. The issue came to the forefront at the recent Iowa Data Center Summit,hosted by the Technology Association of Iowa,where discussions centered on the increasing demands for water and energy posed by these facilities.
A Personal Stake in Iowa’s Resources
The urgency of the situation was underscored during a panel discussion when Tyler Wyngarden, TAI’s vice president of strategic partnerships, shifted the conversation to a more personal level. “My mom says, ‘I’m worried we’re going to run out of water.’ What woudl you say?” he posed to the panelists, highlighting the growing anxieties among residents.
Industry Efforts to Mitigate Impact
Representatives from major tech companies offered insights into their sustainability efforts. Dan Harbeke, public policy and government affairs manager for Google, stated that the company aims to replenish 120% of the water it uses, currently at 66% globally.In 2024 alone, Google replenished 4.5 billion gallons of water across its 112 data center projects worldwide.
However, the broader implications for Iowa remain a key concern. Currently, data centers account for less than 0.1% of total water use in the U.S., but projections from McKinsey & Co. indicate that consumption is expected to triple by 2030. Moreover, an Accenture report suggests that data centers could consume 16% to 23% of U.S. electricity by 2033.
Strain on Resources Beyond Iowa’s Borders
The potential for strain isn’t just a future concern. Lu Liu,
Iowa’s Groundwater Vulnerabilities
The location of these data centers within Iowa is also under scrutiny. Keith Schilling, the state geologist and director of the Iowa Geological Survey, pointed out that groundwater distribution is uneven. “Our groundwater in Iowa,probably,likewise,around the country,is not evenly distributed,” he explained. He noted that areas like Des Moines lack abundant groundwater resources, while facilities like the Google site near Council Bluffs benefit from access to the Missouri River.
Microsoft’s five data center sites in West Des Moines currently utilize between 2% and 7% of the water pumped monthly by West Des Moines Water Works, a figure comparable to the 40% used for lawn watering and irrigation during peak summer months.In 2025 (through September),Microsoft’s West Des Moines facilities consumed 48,751,325 gallons of water,primarily for evaporative cooling. West Des Moines Water Works officials stated that a lawn watering ban implemented this summer would have occurred nonetheless of data center water usage. The tech company has invested $25 million in local water infrastructure, including a new water tower and aquifer storage well. Microsoft has publicly stated its goal of becoming “water positive” by 2030, and is implementing advanced cooling systems and water recycling projects.
Calls for Increased Oversight and Sustainable Practices
Concerns about the long-term sustainability of this growth are being voiced by environmental advocacy groups. Wally Taylor, conservation chair and legal chair for the Iowa chapter of the sierra Club, expressed worry about both energy and water demands. He criticized the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ current permitting process,arguing that it doesn’t adequately assess the appropriateness of granting water withdrawal permits. “We don’t know what the status of our aquifers are, and DNR has just been handing out permits like candy without any inquiry as to whether they really should be,” Taylor said. The Sierra Club plans to propose legislation to reform the permitting process in the next legislative session.
MidAmerican Energy reported a 2.8% increase in overall retail load growth in 2023 and 1.5% in 2024,anticipating further increases in 2025 due to data center expansion. To address growing demand, the company has proposed an 800-megawatt Solar Reliability Project, approved by the iowa Utilities Commission and slated for completion in phases between 2027 and 2028, and a 518-MW natural gas-powered Orient Energy Center, currently pending before the IUC.
The future of data center development in iowa hinges on a proactive approach to resource management and a commitment to sustainable practices.
