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Experts tell South Fulton council data centers can demand megawatts and millions of gallons of water; cooling choices matter
Summary
Regional water planner and zoning experts told council that data centers vary widely in water and energy needs — some seeking tens of megawatts or millions of gallons per day — and recommended closed-loop cooling, wastewater review and stricter local performance standards to protect supplies and neighborhoods.
A technical briefing at the City of South Fulton work session examined the local impacts of data-center development and options for ordinance safeguards.
Celine Benoit, principal planner for the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, told council "small data centers [are] requesting as much as around 50 megawatts" and described a range of preliminary water requests — from "5,000 to 50,000 gallons per day" for some sites up to a reported request of "9,000,000 gallons per day" on others. She said cooling technology matters: evaporative systems lose large amounts of water to the atmosphere while closed-loop (non-evaporative) systems use substantially less but can require more energy and depend on wastewater handling for flushes and replenishment.
Benoit cautioned that Metro Atlanta is "99% dependent upon surface water" and remains drought-prone; she urged early engagement of water providers and careful DRI (development of regional impact) review. She recommended community benefit agreements, noise and generator testing rules, and mandatory utility approvals before large projects proceed.
Zoning attorney presenters said local governments can use special-use permits and performance standards (for example, decibel limits at property lines, buffer and design standards, dark-sky lighting rules and required utility capacity letters) to manage impacts while recognizing the "chicken-and-egg" reality that utilities will not always confirm service capacity before zoning studies begin.
What this means for South Fulton: Councilmembers raised concerns about regional water impacts and whether a city-only approach can fully address cumulative effects. ARC staff said they have shared research with state lawmakers and will continue to provide data for policy choices at the state and regional level.
