Data-Center Water Could Nourish Crops
Published: Friday, January 2, 2026
On the surface, it might appear as though agricultural irrigators and data centers might be competitors for Indiana's groundwater. They are, but if an idea shared at the recent annual meeting of the Michiana Irrigators Assn. is implemented, then the two might happily co-exist.
According to Keith Cherkauer, professor of agricultural and biological engineering at Purdue University and director of the Indiana Water Resources Research Center, in the next five years data centers will use 150 billion gallons of water, much of that in the Midwest.
In 2023 alone, data centers used 17.4 billion gallons of water. That number is expected to double by 2028.
Depending on the type of cooling system used by the data center, Cherkauer said some of that water could be used for irrigation.
"I do think there are some opportunities, and I think recycling water for the data centers would not be a bad thing to push on them," Cherkauer said Dec. 12 at the irrigation meeting in Elkhart. "I think there is some potential for using the water that is coming out of the data centers. I've heard some early discussions about using the water for hydroponics or aquaponics, because it's reasonable quality warm water. It could be used for irrigation, conceivably. Of course, we'd have to build the infrastructure for that."
Right now, there is a data center construction boom happening across the U.S., and Cherkauer said it's tied to the growth of artificial intelligence.
Data centers have "lots of computers running in a small space," he said. "These require a lot of cooling. The best way to cool things is with a liquid, and water is the least expensive liquid to use."
Cool water enters the system, and it comes out warm. The water has to be cooled again before it can be circulated back into the system.
There are currently 4,189 data centers in the U.S., including 75 in Indiana. That ranks as the 17th most in the U.S. Illinois and Ohio rank fourth and fifth, respectively, while Michigan ranks 22nd.
"Data centers are going up very fast, and you guys (irrigators) haven't been invited to the table," Cherkauer said, suggesting there is an opportunity for discussion.
The Purdue professor described data centers as "non-consumptive" users of water, whereas irrigators are "consumptive." Ninety percent of water used by data centers is returned to the system.
Another difference is that data centers use water constantly while irrigation is seasonal.
2025 was a dry year for northern Indiana, especially toward the end of the growing season. The current drought index shows the Hoosier state is 92% abnormally dry, with an area of exceptional drought stretching from south of Fort Wayne to central Indiana.
"We are seeing more precipitation in the winter and spring months," Cherkauer said. "We are seeing about the same, maybe a little less precipitation, in the summer."
The Midwest is experiencing a steady increase in temperature. This impacts the amount of water used for irrigation. Groundwater wells and stream flows usually drop toward the end of the growing season.
One benefit of warmer weather is a longer growing season.
"We are experiencing an increase of nine days of frost-free time, because it's getting warmer," he said.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources tracks Significant Water Withdrawal Facilities in the state. There were 7,625 groundwater wells that pulled a minimum of 100,000 gallons per day in 2024. Over half, 4,058, were for irrigation, both agricultural and golf courses. However, irrigation represents just 2-3% of the total water use. The biggest user is energy production, with 60% of total water use.
In addition to being large water users, data centers require lots of electrical power. Data centers increase residential energy bills by $37.50 per year, Cherkauer said.
Indiana electricity costs have risen 17.5% in the last year, but residents living near data centers have seen even higher increases.
Cherkauer said the Indiana Water Resources Research Center will offer a webinar on Jan. 21 (see related article) to educate the public about data centers and their impact on water resources and the electrical grid.
"Indiana law is pretty favorable toward data center growth, so expect more to come in the future," he said.
In another session, Mark Basch, head of the Water Rights and Use Section at the Indiana DNR, explained that a new law, SB 28, provides significant protection against pumping impacts of other "Significant Groundwater Withdrawal Facilities." Previously, the law protected only small capacity wells affected by high-capacity groundwater pumping.
"It still does that," Basch said. "That hasn't changed. But now there is an additional layer."
The new law gives the Department of Natural Resources the ability to restrict high-capacity groundwater withdrawals if it is impacting a neighboring well.
SB 28 does not establish priority for groundwater withdrawals based on well capacity, type of water use or prior appropriation.
"The real crux of this law is this 'Timely and Reasonable Compensation Provision,'" he said. "It requires an investigation by the Department of Natural Resources. If we get a complaint from an individual who thinks their well is being affected by high-capacity pumping, we're required to go out and make an investigation. There is a 24-hour time limit for us."
Basch said the law gives DNR three ways to resolve the matter: restoring the well to its original capability, replacing the well, and restriction of pumping.
Return to Top of Page