Data Centers Raise Concerns About Water

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Local

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April 30, 2026

It seems that Georgia is becoming the place that data centers are looking to locate to. While there are benefits to the centers, there are also some cons and one of those issues could be water. According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), the tapping into fresh water sources by the centers could put nearby communities at risk. According to an article released by the EESI in June 2025, a medium-sized data center can consume up to roughly 110 million gallons of water per year for cooling purposes, equivalent to the annual water usage of approximately 1,000 households. Larger data centers can each “drink” up to 5 million gallons per day, or about 1.8 billion annually, usage equivalent to a town of 10,000 to 50,000 people.

Data Centers Raise Concerns About Water

By John Kuykendall

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Features

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April 30, 2026

It seems that Georgia is becoming the place that data centers are looking to locate to. While there are benefits to the centers, there are also some cons and one of those issues could be water. According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), the tapping into fresh water sources by the centers could put nearby communities at risk. According to an article released by the EESI in June 2025, a medium-sized data center can consume up to roughly 110 million gallons of water per year for cooling purposes, equivalent to the annual water usage of approximately 1,000 households. Larger data centers can each “drink” up to 5 million gallons per day, or about 1.8 billion annually, usage equivalent to a town of 10,000 to 50,000 people.

Sheriff’s Office Makes Arrest In St. Marks Shooting Incident

By John Kuykendall

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Local

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April 30, 2026

The Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office arrested a suspect on Wednesday, Apr. 22 for allegedly shooting an individual at a home on St. Marks Road in Hogansville. According to reports filed at the Sheriff’s Office, on Wednesday, Apr. 22 around 4:27 a.m., deputies with the Sheriff’s Office esponded to the 1200 block of St. Marks Road in Hogansville in reference to a call for service reporting a person being shot. “Upon our patrol deputy’s arrival on the scene, he located a white male approximately 50 years of age in the garage area of the residence,” Sheriff Chuck Smith said.

Willis Pleas in Gang Related Case

By John Kuykendall

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Local

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April 30, 2026

Jamal D. Willis entered a guilty plea in Meriwether County Superior Court on Tuesday, Apr. 21 in a case law enforcement and courts considered a violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and other charges. Willis was among several defendants charged in a case that dates back to 2023. Quintravious Deshon Sheffield had already pled in the case and was sentenced to 20 years with eight to serve.

Data Centers Raise Concerns About Water

By John Kuykendall

●

Features

●

April 30, 2026

It seems that Georgia is becoming the place that data centers are looking to locate to. While there are benefits to the centers, there are also some cons and one of those issues could be water. According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), the tapping into fresh water sources by the centers could put nearby communities at risk. According to an article released by the EESI in June 2025, a medium-sized data center can consume up to roughly 110 million gallons of water per year for cooling purposes, equivalent to the annual water usage of approximately 1,000 households. Larger data centers can each “drink” up to 5 million gallons per day, or about 1.8 billion annually, usage equivalent to a town of 10,000 to 50,000 people.