Weekly Wastewater News: North Carolina – May 19, 2026

Data Center Expansion Raises Water Supply and Quality Concerns

North Carolina is experiencing a significant surge in data center development, and water resource managers are increasingly focused on the potential impacts to local water supplies and water quality. The planned expansion of data centers across the state is expected to substantially increase demand on municipal water systems, as these facilities require massive quantities of water for cooling operations to maintain optimal equipment temperatures.

Beyond the volume of water consumption, environmental advocates and water quality professionals are raising concerns about potential pollution from data center cooling systems. The article highlights specific worries about the possible use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other contaminants in cooling operations. PFAS, often called “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment, have become a major concern for drinking water systems nationwide, and their potential introduction through industrial cooling systems represents an emerging challenge for North Carolina’s water and wastewater infrastructure.

As data centers continue to locate in North Carolina, driven by the state’s favorable business climate and infrastructure, water utilities and regulators will need to carefully assess both the capacity implications for water supply systems and the treatment requirements for wastewater discharge. This dual challenge of quantity and quality underscores the need for comprehensive planning and coordination between economic development initiatives and water resource management to ensure the long-term sustainability of North Carolina’s water systems.

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