Data Centers are among the most water-intensive land uses ever proposed for a suburban county. Potable water is required to constantly cool computing equipment. Currently data centers are not in the zoning code. Recently proposed ZTA 26-01 would allow them in industrial zones of the County but needs amendments to address water use.
The Potomac has seen significant drought... and it is getting worse
August 2025 was the driest month on record in 150 years. Experts predict that even with new reservoirs the Potomac will not meet drinking water demand in extreme drought by 2050. Data centers already account for 12% of water consumption in the watershed. Groundwater resources - relied upon by the Ag Reserve are also facing drought.
County zoning must hold data centers to the highest standards to protect drinking water and local habitat
Zoning is the tool county leaders have for balancing new growth with public and environmental health. We are asking residents to join us to make the case for common sense guiderails on data centers in this ZTA. It’s not too late to protect drinking water, and habitat - but we can’t go back and require these changes once hyperscale data centers are built.
The Potomac has seen significant drought... and it is getting worse
August 2025 was the driest month on record in 150 years. Experts predict that even with new reservoirs the Potomac will not meet drinking water demand in extreme drought by 2050. Data centers already account for 12% of water consumption in the watershed. Groundwater resources - relied upon by the Ag Reserve are also facing drought.
County zoning must hold data centers to the highest standards to protect drinking water and local habitat
Zoning is the tool county leaders have for balancing new growth with public and environmental health. We are asking residents to join us to make the case for common sense guiderails on data centers in this ZTA. It’s not too late to protect drinking water, and habitat - but we can’t go back and require these changes once hyperscale data centers are built.
Media:
- Study: Data center growth adds to ‘perfect storm’ of risk to Potomac River drinking water supply (WTOP) - Established data centers use 12% of the Potomac during summer months when droughts are more prevalent.
- UN: The World has entered a era of "Water Bankruptcy"
- Two Part Bethesda Magazine Series: Will the Dickerson Data Center Impact the Environment? and "Why the data center industry come to Dickerson?"
It was lonely in the hearing room back in 2024 when the Dickerson data center was first proposed. We were there to speak for the river and the Ag Reserve. Since then, far more attention has come to this issue and we are so glad for the added voices. You've sent over 900 letters to the Council but we need to keep at it. As we continue to dig in, your support of our small (but mighty!) organization will fuel this work. We'd be honored by your tax deductible gift.
