California AI Data Center Seeks Colorado River Water Amidst Local Opposition
A proposed 330-megawatt AI data center in Southern California's Imperial Valley, initially committed to not using Colorado River water, is now seeking access to 260 million gallons annually. The developer, Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, has filed a lawsuit to obtain water from the river, which is a critical and contested resource for 40 million people across seven states. The Imperial Irrigation District, responsible for distributing the river's water in the area, has denied the request. The developer argues that the data center's water needs would be offset by fallowing nearby farmland, claiming no additional demand on the river. However, local communities and water experts express concerns over redirecting water from agriculture to industrial use, highlighting potential economic and social impacts. 
