Tucson tightens rules on large water users

• Tucson passed new rules requiring major water users to submit conservation plans, following backlash over a secretive data center project.

Debate over a proposed data center

The Tucson City Council unanimously approved an ordinance that changes how large water users can access the municipal system. The measure was prompted by Project Blue, a massive and secretive data center proposal that could have consumed hundreds of millions of gallons annually. Developers described it as a “water positive” project but shared little detail with the public. Concerns about secrecy and the sheer scale of demand led to the rejection of the annexation request needed for the project to move forward.

Under the new ordinance, any entity expecting to use more than seven point four million gallons a month must file a detailed conservation plan. This plan must outline projected usage, the type of consumption, and water-saving technologies. All applications will be public records and require City Council approval before service begins. In addition, companies must submit updated plans every five years and may not exceed one hundred twenty percent of their approved allocation.

Penalties and review process

Violations of the ordinance carry steep penalties, reaching as high as two thousand percent of monthly charges for repeated offenses. In severe cases, Tucson Water can install restriction devices or suspend service altogether. The ordinance will undergo a six-month public review, during which community groups will have input into possible adjustments. Activist groups, including No Desert Data Center, welcomed the move but urged the city to impose broader limits on large energy-intensive projects.

Pima County supervisors have also initiated a process to add zoning restrictions on large industrial water users, including data centers. Nearby Marana already prohibits data centers from using potable water for cooling or humidity control, requiring them to identify alternative sources. Local residents and researchers argue that Tucson’s ordinance is a step forward but does not fully address long-term risks. Michael Bogan of the University of Arizona emphasized the importance of involving tribal communities, noting that the Pascua Yaqui Tribe depends on Tucson Water for its supply.