# 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
- Title: Chicago water agency sees AI data centers as revenue boost
- Summary: Metropolitan Water Reclamation District aims to sell recycled water to AI data centers for millions in annual revenue District can generate millions yearly…
- Keywords: metropolitan water reclamation district, ai data centers, recycled water, cook county, deep tunnel flood control, lake michigan, cicero, stickney, hawthorne race course, microlink, data center cooling, sewer water reuse
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/environment/2026/09/18/metropolitan-water-reclamation-district-artificial-intelligence-hawthorne-race-course-stickney-cicero
- Published: 2026-09-18T16:59:30.203+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: metropolitan water reclamation district, ai data centers, recycled water, cook county, deep tunnel flood control, lake michigan, cicero, stickney, hawthorne race course, microlink, data center cooling, sewer water reuse
## 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
## Key takeaway

District can generate millions yearly by selling treated sewer water to AI data centers