Water regulators tell Marion commissioners AI data centers will trigger consumptive‑use scrutiny

Clay Coursey, representing the St. Johns River Water Management District, told Marion County that the district approaches water planning on a 20‑year horizon and issues consumptive use permits only after testing for reasonable beneficial use, impacts to existing legal users, and public interest. He said any AI data center that proposes to withdraw large volumes often requires a public hearing before the district board.