A political battle over a large withdrawal of water for use by a Google server farm has one reporter deploying words like "war" and "free-for-all" to tell the story.
"Water wars" are erupting in South Carolina, according to an article by Bo Petersen, exacerbated by large water withdrawals by companies like Google.
"Forty million gallons of surface water per day now are pumped to customers by the Berkeley Water and Sanitation utility," according to Petersen. "Google, the marquee computer network company, apparently uses one-tenth of it — about 4 million gallons — to cool the servers at its only South Carolina data center, in Goose Creek."
A planned expansion of the server facility would require even more water—1.5 million gallons a day from a coastal aquifer. If permitted, Google would become the third largest aquifer user in the three-county Charleston region.
Opponents of Google's plan for the aquifer include local residents, water utility officials, and conservationists. How the battle plays out could set a precedent for the growing region that is only beginning to come to the grips with the environmental consequences of its growth. The article dives into the situation in South Carolina in detail, referencing similar situations in nearby states. South Carolina and other nearby states are "tightening regulations surrounding surface water withdrawal," according to Petersen, in response to decades of intermittent drought, warming temperatures, and growing residential and commercial demands.
FULL STORY: Google's controversial groundwater withdrawal sparks question of who owns South Carolina water
How Capturing Rainwater Can Make Cities Safer, More Resilient
Green infrastructure can help prevent flooding and replenish groundwater supplies, preventing subsidence that makes land sink.
Arizona Governor Takes Steps to Modernize Water Policy
A newly released report warns of rapidly dwindling groundwater resources as developers plan to build hundreds of thousands of new homes.
Utah Debates Solutions to Water Shortage
With a rapidly growing population and strained water supplies, Utah lawmakers and conservation groups debate how to best replenish the state's water sources.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.
End Human Sacrifices to the Demanding Gods of Automobile Dependency and Sprawl
The U.S. has much higher traffic fatality rates than peer countries due to automobile dependency and sprawl. Better planning can reduce these human sacrifices.
Seattle Transit Asked to Clarify Pet Policy
A major dog park near a new light rail stop is prompting calls to update and clarify rules for bringing pets on Seattle-area transit systems.
Oregon Bill Would End Bans on Manufactured Housing
The bill would prevent new developments from prohibiting mobile homes and modular housing.
Nashville Doesn’t Renew Bike Share Contract, Citing Lost Federal Funding
The city’s bike share system, operated by BCycle, could stop operating if the city doesn’t find a new source of funding.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Tustin
Tyler Technologies
New York City School Construction Authority
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions