Racine data center demands for water threaten our lake

To Ozaukee Press:

As citizens of the Earth, there is a direct call to action to protect and preserve the country’s largest freshwater resource. The recent report from Racine regarding a data center’s projected usage of nearly 2.8 million gallons of water from Lake Michigan will adversely impact water quality, thus posing a potential risk for Wisconsin citizens and the environment.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, over 1.6 million Wisconsin households utilize drinking water from Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.

Data centers require copious amounts of water to cool equipment, releasing wastewater back into its source. 

Although Microsoft claims to implement innovative technology to reduce water usage for its data centers, its new Racine edifice will certainly disrupt the wildlife and alter the quality of the water Wisconsin citizens will consume. Technological advancements should not come at the cost of our ecological health and future.

Taylor Vraney

Wauwatosa