Residents urge moratorium on data centers amid water and health concerns

Scores of residents urged the City of Laredo to pause — and study — proposals for large data‑center projects that would consume large amounts of water and electricity.

Public speakers cited national examples and local vulnerability. "A medium‑sized center can consume up to roughly 110,000,000 gallons of water, larger data centers up to 5,000,000 gallons per day," one commenter said, and others warned of increased water rates and environmental impacts. Anna Vara, a Webb County resident, told the council she and neighbors had gathered petitions and asked for a moratorium so the city could study cumulative impacts: “We are set to run out of water by 2044… please pass a moratorium in order to give the construction of this data city more thought,” she said.

Speakers also raised concerns about noise, wastewater and e‑waste, and questioned whether local jobs created by data centers would mainly be short‑term construction roles rather than long‑term employment for local residents. A resident who identified himself with the district urged council members to weigh water‑price increases that followed data‑center development in other jurisdictions.

Council members acknowledged the concerns and several said they support a review of policy options. One council member said the city has not yet considered a single data‑center proposal formally, and that a staff study and possible moratorium could be the appropriate next steps to evaluate impacts on water supply, electrical demand and land‑use compatibility.

Next steps: Council added an item directing staff to evaluate high‑intensity data‑processing facilities’ impact on municipal infrastructure and to return with recommended regulatory standards, including water‑use, cooling technology and land‑use compatibility options.