The Data Fix with Dr. Mél Hogan Water, with Rebecca Kilberg, Mary-Clare Bosco and Jonathan Gilmour
Jun 16, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Rebecca Kilberg, a software developer focused on environmental impacts, along with climate tech product manager Mary-Clare Bosco and Harvard data scientist Jonathan Gilmour, dive into the pressing issue of data center water usage. They explore the challenges of measuring water consumption and share insights on regulatory proposals to ensure transparency. Highlighting the link between water use and public health risks, they advocate for local community action and policy reforms to protect vital resources like the Great Salt Lake.
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Data Centers Cluster In Water-Scarce Areas
- Data centers are growing in arid regions like Salt Lake due to tech expansion and low water costs.
- This congregating can rapidly stress local water supplies despite industry being a small regional share.
Request Utility Records Using FOIA/GRAMA
- Use public records laws (GRAMA/FOIA) to obtain utility water data for data centers.
- Analyze utility diversion records to compare facilities and reveal high water users for policy action.
Utility Data Is Reliable But Not Comparable
- Utility-provided water data is generally reliable because billing depends on it.
- Comparisons are hard because companies report different metrics and sometimes hide or restrict release of data.