Oklahoma's Data Center Boom Strains Water Demand

As tech giants like Google expand data centers in the state, concerns grow over water usage and supply

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Google's massive data center in Pryor, Oklahoma used over 1.1 billion gallons of water in one year, enough to fill 1,666 Olympic-size swimming pools. With at least 10 new data centers under construction or awaiting approval across the state, residents in many towns are worried about the impact on local water supplies. While some data center developers are exploring ways to reduce water usage, the overall growth in the industry is straining Oklahoma's water resources.

Why it matters

Oklahoma's water supply is already under pressure, with demand expected to grow 18% over the next 20 years due to population growth and urban expansion. The influx of data centers, which can use billions of gallons of water annually for cooling, is adding significant new strain on the state's limited water resources, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of this growth.

The details

Google's Pryor data center, the company's second-largest in the world, discharged about 253 million gallons of wastewater back into the Neosho River in one year, with the rest lost through evaporation. The MidAmerica Industrial Park, which supplies water to Google and other companies, has a permit to withdraw up to 27.375 billion gallons per year. Some proposed data centers, like Project Anthem and Project Clydesdale, are projected to use up to 1 billion and 2.2 billion gallons annually, respectively. While some data centers are exploring less water-intensive cooling systems, the overall growth in the industry is still straining Oklahoma's water resources.

  • In the year from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, Google's Pryor data center used over 1.1 billion gallons of water.
  • The Oklahoma Water Resources Board predicts that by 2075, projected demand will exceed the available surface water supply for permitting in some areas of the state, including the Oklahoma City and Tulsa areas.

The players

Google

An American multinational technology company that operates the second-largest data center in the world in Pryor, Oklahoma.

MidAmerica Industrial Park

A state-owned industrial park that supplies water to Google and other companies, with a permit to withdraw up to 27.375 billion gallons of water per year.

Oklahoma Water Resources Board

The state agency that predicts water demand in Oklahoma will grow by 18% over the next 20 years, with projected demand exceeding available surface water supply in some areas by 2075.

Yohanes Sugeng

An engineer for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board who told state lawmakers that new and emerging users, such as data centers, will contribute to the strain on the state's water supply.

Rhonda Markum

A Payne County Commissioner who said Google estimates it will eventually use nearly 3 billion gallons of water a year for six data centers under development in Stillwater.

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What they’re saying

“Considering MidAmerica's current water usage by existing customers and anticipated increases in demand, the contracted GRDA supply and available treatment capacity are adequate to meet foreseeable water requirements.”

— Nathan Cross, Attorney for MidAmerica Industrial Park

“The new and emerging users, such as data centers, will contribute to the strain depending on how data centers source water.”

— Yohanes Sugeng, Engineer, Oklahoma Water Resources Board

“We're not going to take water away from citizens for a project like that. That wouldn't be neighborly.”

— Howard Whatley, Vice-Chair, Muskogee Rural Water District #3

What’s next

The Oklahoma Water Resources Board predicts that by 2075, projected demand will exceed the available surface water supply for permitting in some areas of the state, including the Oklahoma City and Tulsa areas. This will require state and local officials to closely monitor water usage and explore strategies to ensure sustainable water management as the data center industry continues to grow in Oklahoma.

The takeaway

Oklahoma's booming data center industry is putting significant strain on the state's limited water resources, raising concerns about long-term sustainability. While some data center developers are exploring ways to reduce water usage, the overall growth in the industry may require state and local officials to implement new policies and infrastructure investments to ensure adequate water supplies for both businesses and residents.