City Cast Chicago Could Data Centers Drain Lake Michigan?
Sep 8, 2025
Helena Volzer, a Senior Water Policy Manager for the Great Lakes Alliance, dives into the intricate relationship between data centers and water depletion. She highlights the alarming water demands of these tech hubs and their potential impact on Lake Michigan, one of the world's largest drinking water sources. The conversation also tackles the urgent need for proactive water management strategies, community involvement, and sustainable practices to protect regional water resources amid escalating technological growth.
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Great Lakes Are A Limited, Vital Resource
- The Great Lakes supply drinking water to millions and support huge regional industries and ecosystems.
- Only 1% of Great Lakes water is replenished annually, making management essential.
Compact Links Groundwater And Lake Management
- The Great Lakes Compact bans large-scale diversions and requires states to manage in-basin water use.
- Groundwater supplies 40–75% of residents and connects directly to lake health and availability.
Three Sectors Converge On Water Demand
- Three converging, water-intensive sectors threaten regional supplies: irrigated agriculture, data centers, and critical-minerals mining.
- The report highlights tech (AI/data centers) as the fastest-growing water demand driver.