From Chicago Sun-Times · · 1m 30s
Chicago water agency sees AI data centers as revenue boost
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District aims to sell recycled water to AI data centers for millions in annual revenue
In brief
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District aims to sell recycled water to AI data centers for millions in annual revenue District can generate millions yearly by selling treated sewer water to AI data centers Originally reported by Chicago Sun-Times.
Data centers face public backlash
Polls show 60% of Chicago residents worry about water supply impacts from AI data centers
“Almost 60% of people surveyed said they were concerned about the impact on water supply”
District seeks water sales
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District wants to sell treated sewer water to AI data centers for revenue
“The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District would like to sell recycled sewer water to big data centers that support artificial intelligence”
Water reuse potential
Recycled water could reduce Lake Michigan usage for data center cooling operations
“It potentially eliminates the need for fresh Lake Michigan water to be used to cool the massive data centers”
District's financial need
District has nearly $2 billion annual budget that needs additional revenue sources
“The district has a nearly two billion dollar annual budget that is largely taxpayer funded”
Local opposition
Cicero and Hawthorne officials oppose data centers near water treatment facilities
“Cicero officials were so concerned a data center was being placed next to the district's water treatment plant the town's board passed a resolution opposing the idea”
District's water assets
District owns riverfront land leased to industrial companies and water treatment plants
“The district owns thousands of acres of riverfront land that is leased to industrial companies”
MicroLink talks
District discussed potential partnership with MicroLink for sustainable data centers
“The district held discussions earlier this year with a startup company known as MicroLink”
Data center growth
Over 200 AI data centers exist in Chicago area, using massive amounts of water for cooling
“There are more than 200 data centers in the Chicago area”
Water treatment process
District treats rainwater and sewage for reuse in rivers and eventually the Gulf of Mexico
“The water reclamation district cleans the water that goes into our sewers, both rain and everything that is flushed down our toilets and sinks”
Revenue potential
Selling water could generate millions annually for the district's budget
“The district stands to bring in millions of dollars in potential new revenue if it can sell treated sewer water to data centers”
No current deals
District has no active discussions with data center developers for water sales
“There are no discussions with data center developers”
Lake Michigan water concerns
Data centers use large amounts of Lake Michigan water for cooling operations
“It potentially eliminates the need for fresh Lake Michigan water to be used to cool the massive data centers”
The headline
District can generate millions yearly by selling treated sewer water to AI data centers
