A recent panel discussion hosted by St. Johns Riverkeeper brought together researchers and advocates from St. Johns Riverkeeper, St. Marys Riverkeeper, Florida Springs Council, and 1000 Friends of Florida to discuss the growing presence of data centers in Florida and what that could mean for the state’s water resources.
Why Water Is the Central Concern
Data centers vary widely in size, but the largest can require up to five million gallons of water per day, comparable to the use of 15,000 households. Only 20 percent of that water use goes toward direct cooling. The remaining 80 percent is tied to electricity generation.
Florida is currently among the top 10 states for data center growth, and two-thirds of all data centers built nationally since 2022 are located in water-stressed areas. That is a meaningful consideration for a region already managing drought conditions, including a recent Phase III water shortage declaration for Northeast and East Central Florida.
Environmental Considerations
Large scale construction associated with data centers can affect wetlands, stormwater systems, and surface water quality. Increased impervious surface area reduces the ground’s ability to absorb rainfall, and heated discharge water from electricity generation can stress aquatic ecosystems.
What State Law Currently Says
Senate Bill 484, effective July 1, 2026, prohibits utilities from shifting data center infrastructure costs onto residential customers and preserves local zoning authority, including the ability for local governments to institute moratoriums. A study on the broader impact of large scale data centers is required by July 1, 2027.
Why Local Government Involvement Matters
Decisions about whether and how data centers are permitted rest largely with local governments, through tools like special use permits, setback requirements, and buffering standards.
This is a topic worth watching closely as it relates to water resources and long term regional planning. I will continue to follow this issue and share updates as they become available.
Victoria Bruce
Winter Springs Commissioner, District 2
Protecting Winter Springs
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