The rapid growth of data centers — massive facilities powering cloud storage and artificial intelligence — is raising new questions about water use and infrastructure in the Delaware River Valley.
The Upper Delaware Council recently hosted a public presentation featuring staff from the Delaware River Basin Commission, who detailed potential impacts on the region’s water resources.
Why Data Centers Matter
- These facilities require enormous amounts of electricity and water to operate.
- Water is used directly for cooling servers and indirectly through energy production.
- Even centers outside the basin could affect the Delaware River, if local power plants increase withdrawals to meet energy needs.
“The Delaware River Valley is a logical place for data center development, given its location midway between northern Virginia and New York City. It’s not unrealistic to be planning for that type of development. ” — Amanda Khalil, DRBC
Current Data Center Landscape
- DRBC identified 66 active and 24 proposed data centers in the Delaware River Valley
- The largest hyperscale facilities are not currently operating in the basin, though at least one has been proposed.
- Smaller centers typically draw water from public water systems, though exact figures are difficult to track.
River resource context:
- Water withdrawals from the Delaware River have declined from 10 billion gallons per day in 2005 to 6 billion in 2024.
- Consumptive use (water not returned to the river) dropped from 1.1 billion gallons per day in 1990 to 825 million in 2024.
Local and State Responses
- Damascus Township, Pike County: 6-month moratorium on data center development to review ordinances.
- Green Township: Public hearings and draft ordinances underway.
- Cumberland County: Officials highlight zoning as a tool to protect natural resources while allowing data centers, warning that outright bans may trigger legal challenges.
““These facilities can consume the energy of entire cities and place real strain on local water systems. At the same time, we’re allowing wetlands, the natural systems that protect our water, to disappear locally. That makes no sense.” —State Rep. Tarah Probst (D-Monroe/Pike)
Pennsylvania Legislature Takes Multiple Actions
- House-approved framework: Manages energy grid, consumers, and environmental impacts; awaiting Senate consideration.
- Wetland legislation: Representative Tara Probst proposes mitigation remain local.
- Tax legislation: Representative Jeff O’Semer wants new property tax revenue to fund school tax relief.
- Senator Rosemary Brown: Leading efforts to clarify rules for constituents.
“Data centers are changing the economy and the neighborhoods where they are built. Different officials are focusing on different pieces — from environmental protections to tax revenue and zoning.” — Liam Mayhew, River Reporter
- Full report on the DRBC presentation is available at Upper Delaware Council.
- Liam Mayo’s full coverage is at River Reporter.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misstated the number of data centers identified in the Delaware River Valley. The Delaware River Basin Commission reported there are 66 active and 24 proposed data centers in the region, not 66 total. The story has been updated to reflect this distinction and to clarify that large “hyperscale” data centers are not currently operating in the basin, though at least one has been proposed.
Image: A high-voltage powerline runs behind a constrcution site in Archbald, PA. (Rebecca Egan/Grist)