Utah AI Data Center's Water Footprint in Question as Plans Evolve

The Stratos data center proposal in Box Elder County, Utah—backed by Kevin O'Leary—faces scrutiny as officials and researchers warn that exact water use and footprint are not finalized; estimates vary from about 2 billion to 16.6 billion gallons of water per year depending on power-generation technology, and the site’s size was scaled back from roughly 40,000 acres to about 10,000 acres after protests. While developers tout “waterless” or low-water cooling and Allam-cycle options, experts say precise plans are needed to confirm environmental impact, leaving the final numbers uncertain until detailed designs are released.