AI data centers have faced increased pushback for many reasons, but one growing point of scrutiny is the amount of water pollution they are responsible for. In the case of Vineland, NJ, the community has seen troubling signs of waste water from a nearby data center potentially contaminating drinking water. This, in turn, raises the question about what these data centers are doing to limit the environmental damage caused by their functioning.
Vineland Pushes Back Against AI Data Center
Residents in Vineland, NJ, have begun to push back against efforts to build an AI data center in their vicinity. Existing data centers have already had a poor reception due to constant noise, skyrocketing energy bills, and other issues that have emerged since construction on the project started. However, one of the more concerning problems are the signs that the project may be contaminating the water supply.
Signs of Potentially Dangerous Water Pollution
Vineland residents have reported a number of signs of potential water pollution since construction on the data center began. People have noted the water from their wells turning an unusual color, and they say they have had their white laundry turning brown after being washed. However, those behind the data center- in this case, a company called DataOne- have not been forthcoming about the potential impact on the water supply, only stating that they estimated the data center would require an estimated average of eight million gallons of water per year.
Growing Scrutiny on Data Centers
Water pollution from data centers can come from many factors. During construction, it can create dangerous runoff that can contaminate local water supplies, while the water used in cooling these data centers is often mixed with chemicals to reduce corrosion and reduce damage to the equipment. They may also contain heavy metals leached from the equipment it’s used to cool, especially as they degrade from continuous use.
Even without these chemical contaminants, however, water from data centers can be dangerous due to the amount of heat they generate. On average, wastewater from data centers is between five and fifteen degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the surrounding water, which can damage local ecosystems or encourage the growth of certain pathogens.
Why This Matters
The rush to embrace AI has often come at the cost of the communities that have these data centers built near them. This includes the literal cost of higher utility bills, as well as the less obvious cost of dealing with environmental pollution. Residents in these communities are entitled to be free from environmental hazards just like anyone else, and may have legal options to protect against negligent firms who build data centers without adequate safeguards.
Williams Cedar is a law firm dedicated to helping clients with personal injury, environmental law, and civil rights cases. We have extensive experience representing the interests of people injured in catastrophic accidents, including fires, explosions and leaks of toxic materials. If you believe we can be of service to you or a loved one, please give us a call at our New Jersey and Pennsylvania offices at (215) 557-0099, or visit our contact page.