A closer look at Stevensburg data centers as Amazon touts recycled water use – Culpeper Star-Exponent

Amazon Web Services Expands Sustainable Water Use in U.S. Data Centers

Introduction

Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced plans to expand the use of recycled water for equipment cooling to over 120 data center locations across the United States, including Virginia, by 2030. This initiative aligns with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), by promoting sustainable water management and reducing freshwater consumption.

Local Developments and Environmental Considerations

Culpeper County Data Center Projects

Local leadership in the Town of Culpeper is actively encouraging the use of recycled water for cooling in upcoming data center developments within the Culpeper Tech Zone on McDevitt Drive, emphasizing environmental sustainability (SDG 13: Climate Action). However, it remains unclear whether the Amazon secure data center under construction in Stevensburg, Culpeper County, will adopt recycled water cooling systems.

Water Usage Transparency and Security

• AWS does not disclose exact data center locations or specific water recycling usage due to security concerns.
• The expansion of water recycling is expected to preserve over 398 million gallons of freshwater in Virginia over the next five years, contributing to SDG 6.

2022 Rezoning and Infrastructure Details

Project Specifications

• The approved AWS project includes a two-building enterprise center campus spanning over 427,000 square feet on 243 acres.
• The site will use a private septic system and well for potable water, with water tanks installed between the data centers.
• Contemporary data center design minimizes water use by relying primarily on airflow cooling rather than water-intensive methods, supporting SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

Energy and Water Management

• Cooling air conditioning will be powered by a six-acre Dominion electrical substation connected to a high-voltage transmission line.
• The county staff emphasized the importance of protecting water resources and requested detailed water usage information to assess potential impacts on groundwater, aligning with SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Culpeper Tech Campus and Wastewater Cooling Initiative

Use of Treated Wastewater

The Culpeper Technology Campus, developed by Peterson Companies, plans to use treated wastewater for cooling at a nine-building data center site on 150 acres. This project involves:

1. Accessing treated wastewater from the town sewer system.
2. Storing water in a 200-foot-tall, 2-million-gallon elevated storage tank maintained by town public works.
3. Powering the campus with two 300MW substations supplied by Dominion Energy.

This initiative supports SDG 6 by promoting water recycling and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through environmentally responsible infrastructure development.

Environmental Benefits

• Reduction of effluent discharge into Mountain Run, a water body impaired by fecal bacteria and PCB contamination.
• Cost-effective implementation with no financial burden on the town.

Amazon’s Commitment to Sustainable Water Management

Water Recycling and Rainwater Harvesting

AWS is committed to using sustainable water sources such as recycling and rainwater harvesting wherever feasible. The company collaborates closely with local utilities and water authorities to implement these strategies, considering local infrastructure, regulations, and water quality standards. This approach contributes to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and SDG 6.

Water Scarcity Challenges

AWS acknowledges that factors like climate change, aging infrastructure, and pollution are increasing water scarcity globally, impacting communities and ecosystems. The company’s efforts to reduce water consumption in data centers address these challenges directly.

Historical Achievements

• In 2020, AWS became the first data center operator to use reclaimed water with direct evaporative cooling technology in collaboration with Loudoun Water.
• Best practices developed by AWS have enabled an 85% reduction in water use compared to conventional cooling methods.

Water Consumption in Data Center Industry

Industry Impact on Water Resources

Data centers are among the top 10 water-consuming industrial sectors in the U.S., often consuming millions of gallons daily depending on cooling systems. Large impervious surfaces increase stormwater runoff, affecting local waterways and drinking water sources (SDG 6 and SDG 14: Life Below Water).

Regional Water Usage Trends

• In Loudoun County, potable water use for data center cooling has increased by 250%.
• Trade-offs exist between water and electricity consumption in cooling systems, with reclaimed water systems offering sustainable alternatives.

Research Findings

A 2021 Virginia Tech study highlighted that 90% of U.S. watersheds are directly or indirectly impacted by data center water use, with 20% drawing from stressed watersheds in the western U.S. Efficient water use in data centers is critical to reducing environmental stress (SDG 6 and SDG 13).

Support from State and Local Authorities

Statements from Officials

• Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin recognized the state as a global hub for internet infrastructure and praised AWS for its stewardship of natural resources.
• Ashburn Delegate David Reid emphasized ongoing efforts to reduce environmental impacts of data centers, welcoming AWS’s water reuse initiatives.
• Spotsylvania County’s Public Utilities Director highlighted the importance of recycled water in preserving finite drinking water resources and improving local economic viability.

Economic Development and Employment

Job Creation and Economic Impact

• AWS is actively hiring for the Culpeper data center site, including positions such as Data Center Project Manager and Decommissioning Technician.
• The Marvell rezoning application projects approximately 45 employees per building, operating in three shifts.
• A study commissioned by Culpeper County Economic Development forecasts a $7.56 billion value add over 15 years and 9,600 annual jobs from data center projects.

Tax Revenue and Incentives

• Projected cumulative property tax revenue from data center equipment and real estate is $1.79 billion by 2041.
• Additional revenue from sales taxes and indirect effects is expected to total $429 million.
• Tax exemptions and incentives offered to data centers amount to $805 million cumulatively.
• Net revenue for Culpeper County after incentives and revenue sharing is projected at $1.35 billion by 2041.

Regional Data Center Landscape

Besides AWS, other major data center operators such as Equinix and SWIFT operate in the Culpeper Tech Zone, with six additional projects approved and under development. The zone benefits from upgraded electrical infrastructure to meet high power demands, supporting SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9.

Conclusion

The expansion of recycled water use in AWS data centers across Virginia and the U.S. represents a significant step toward sustainable industrial practices aligned with multiple Sustainable Development Goals. These initiatives contribute to water conservation, environmental protection, economic growth, and community resilience, demonstrating the critical role of technology infrastructure in achieving global sustainability targets.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The article discusses Amazon Web Services’ plan to expand the use of recycled water for cooling data centers, efforts to reduce freshwater consumption, and the use of treated wastewater for cooling in Culpeper Tech Campus.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – The development and expansion of data centers with innovative cooling technologies and infrastructure upgrades are highlighted.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The article touches on sustainable water management practices in urban and community settings, including reducing wastewater discharge and protecting local water bodies.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Emphasis on efficient water use and recycling in industrial processes (data centers) aligns with responsible resource consumption.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – The article references climate change impacts on water scarcity and the need for sustainable water management in response.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The economic development and job creation associated with data center projects in Culpeper County are discussed.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
   • Target 6.4: Increase water-use efficiency across all sectors to ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater.
   • Target 6.5: Implement integrated water resources management at all levels.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including air quality and waste management.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
   • Target 12.4: Environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes throughout their life cycle.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
6. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation.
   • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

• Water Savings and Efficiency Indicators
  • Gallons of freshwater preserved through recycled water use (e.g., “over 398 million gallons of freshwater preserved in Virginia over five years”).
  • Percentage reduction in water usage compared to conventional methods (e.g., AWS using 85% less water than conventional cooling methods).
  • Volume of treated wastewater used for cooling (e.g., 2-million-gallon storage tank for reclaimed water).
• Environmental Quality Indicators
  • Reduction in nutrient loads and pollutants (e.g., reduction of effluent into Mountain Run, which is impaired by fecal bacteria and PCB levels).
  • Water quality status of local water bodies (implied through references to DEQ impaired waters listings).
• Economic and Employment Indicators
  • Number of jobs created (e.g., 9,600 annual jobs projected in the Culpeper Technology Zone).
  • Economic value added by data center projects (e.g., $7.56 billion over 15 years).
  • Tax revenue generated from data center developments.
• Infrastructure and Innovation Indicators
  • Number of data centers implementing recycled water cooling technologies.
  • Percentage of data centers using sustainable water sources like recycled water and rainwater harvesting.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation	6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution. 6.4: Increase water-use efficiency. 6.5: Implement integrated water resources management.	Gallons of freshwater preserved (e.g., 398 million gallons). Volume of treated wastewater used for cooling (e.g., 2-million-gallon tank). Water quality status of local water bodies (e.g., Mountain Run impairment).
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure	9.4: Upgrade infrastructure to be sustainable and resource-efficient.	Number of data centers using recycled water and innovative cooling technologies. Percentage reduction in water usage compared to conventional methods (e.g., 85% less water).
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.6: Reduce environmental impact of cities including water pollution.	Reduction in wastewater discharge and nutrient loads into waterways. Improvement in local water quality indicators.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	12.2: Sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. 12.4: Environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes.	Efficiency metrics of water use in data centers. Reduction in potable water consumption for cooling.
SDG 13: Climate Action	13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards.	Implementation of sustainable water management strategies in response to water scarcity.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	8.2: Achieve higher economic productivity through innovation. 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work.	Number of jobs created (e.g., 9,600 annual jobs). Economic value added by data center projects ($7.56 billion over 15 years). Tax revenue generated from data center developments.

Source: starexponent.com