Negative Environmental Impacts Of AI Data Centers
Project Tango poses a serious risk to the health of our local environment, groundwater sources, and wildlife habitats- including Everglades National Park.
Air
Key pollutants: Nitrogen oxides (NOx), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Fine particles (PM2.5) are the main cause of reduced visibility (haze) in parts of the United States, including many of our treasured national parks and wilderness areas.
Particles can be carried over long distances by wind and then settle on ground or water. Depending on their chemical composition, the effects of this settling may include:
making lakes and streams acidic
changing the nutrient balance in coastal waters and large river basins
depleting the nutrients in soil
damaging sensitive forests and farm crops
affecting the diversity of ecosystems
contributing to acid rain effects
Water
“The facility [Project Tango] is estimated to consume 1.7 million gallons of water monthly — totaling 21 million gallons annually. This amount more than doubles what a University Of Michigan study indicates the average data center uses in a year.” Kate Hussey, WPTV
The amount of water that AI Data Centers use is frightening. In a place where fresh water is at risk, why are we even considering the idea of building a facility that will use EVEN MORE of our dwindling resources? Studies show that Florida’s aquifer levels are dropping due to excessive water use and booming population spikes. What studies have been done to show the potential impacts to residents by removing 1.7 million gallons of water monthly? Where does this water come from? The C-51 Reservoir? The L-8 Reservoir? (See below for more information on C-51 and L-8)
Wastewater Disposal?
“The wastewater discharged from data centers can contain various contaminants, including chemicals used in cooling systems, heavy metals, and other pollutants. If not properly treated, this wastewater can degrade the quality of local water bodies, posing risks to ecosystems and human health.The influx of wastewater from data centers can overwhelm existing wastewater treatment facilities, which often operate at or near capacity. This increased load can lead to inefficiencies and potential failures in the treatment process – especially when existing wastewater treatment facilities are under stress. Added pressure on strained systems will inevitably result in inadequately treated water being discharged into the surrounding community or environment if treatment centers aren’t adequately upgraded in time to manage the influx.” Source
What are the consequences?
Algal blooms and altered freshwater ecosystems
Reduced dissolved oxygen and fish kills
Elevated water temperatures that stress aquatic life
Risk of contamination from cooling additives entering canals, lakes, or wetlands
Long-term degradation of wetlands and surface waters
C-51 Reservoir and L-8 Reservoir
Phillips Construction out of Knoxville, TN is the construction company that built the L-8 Reservoir and the C-51 reservoir.
According to their website “The L-8 Reservoir is a unique, 950-acre former rock mine with a watertight geology that allows for deep, below-ground storage of water, minimizing water loss through evaporation and eliminating levee safety concerns. Initially approved in 2002, the reservoir has a storage capacity of 46,000 acre-feet of water that can be released in a controlled manner into the regional canals system for restoration under the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, for water quality buffering in Southeast Florida’s Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) – a vast amount of wetlands that maintain regional environmental equilibrium, and for use as a regional water supply. The reservoir will eventually become one of three Flow Equalization Basins in the state’s restoration strategies plan, providing 99,000 acre-feet of storage for delivering the water flow needed to optimize the performance of the region’s STAs.” (Phillips Construction Projects L-8)
Again, according to their website “The C-51 Reservoir is a regional alternative water supply project for Southeast Florida designed to capture excess stormwater currently wasted to the tide and causing harm to the Lake Worth Lagoon. The stored water will then be used to replenish the surficial and Biscayne Aquifers throughout the region for public water supply purposes. Construction of Phase I is the result of regional collaboration beginning in 2006 between public water utilities located in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties; the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD); the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP); Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD); Palm Beach Aggregates (PBA); local governments; and other interested parties.
The project site has unique geology for South Florida because it holds water independently of the surrounding water table, allowing for deep-water storage primarily below ground. Located in Western Palm Beach County, the C-51 Reservoir is at the intersection of primary drainage canals and water management infrastructure. It is immediately adjacent to the SFWMD L-8 Flow Equalization Basin (FEB), a critical component of restoration strategies aimed at meeting water quality targets for the Everglades ecosystem. The C-51 Reservoir will connect to the L-8 FEB and be operated by the SFWMD in a coordinated manner for the benefit of both the water supply and the environment.” (Phillips Construction Projects C-51)
Project Tango is proposed to be built on the same land as these reservoirs. It seems as though, the aproximate 1.7 Million gallons of water to be used monthly for this AI Data Center will be coming from these reservoirs. The company that built them also sits on the board of officers for PBA Holdings, the company behind Project Tango.
According to their own website, these reservoirs were built to optimize the performance of the regions Storm Water Treatment Areas, replenish Biscayne Aquifers, and add to the benefits of Everglades Restoration Projects- NOT SUPPLY A MASSIVE AI DATA CENTER WITH WATER FOR OPERATIONS.