Amidst the tranquil beauty of the Pocono Mountains, a looming question troubles the Barton Brothers Partnership: will the natural oasis they’ve cherished for generations withstand the demands of modern technology? The proposed construction of a data center campus has sparked concerns about the potential depletion of precious water resources in Covington and Clifton townships.
Wendy Bolognesi, whose family has owned the 772-acre Barton Brothers Property since the early 1900s, recalls a time when a local bottled water company’s activities left Round Swamp dry. “This whole swamp was like the water had just been sucked out of it. I had never seen anything like it,” she said.
DATA CENTERS:
DEAL OR DILEMMA?This three-day WVIA News series focuses on data center developments in Northeast Pennsylvania and how they could affect area communities.
● TODAY: What are data centers? Potential impacts on water supplies.
● THURSDAY: How data centers will affect energy grid, prices.
● FRIDAY: How communities are reacting, from protests to zoning regulations.
Today, the swamp’s waters have returned, with natural springs bubbling vibrantly through the landscape. Yet, the Barton family remains anxious about the future, as a proposed data center campus by 1778 Rich Pike LLC is set to envelop their property, potentially threatening these rejuvenated waters.
Attorney Matt McHugh, representing the developer, assures that water will be trucked in for cooling purposes, saying, “Some of it’s in order to address concerns that we heard.” However, the Barton family remains skeptical, fearing the data center’s environmental impact on their cherished land.
The North Pocono region, known for its natural beauty, is at the center of a data center development surge, with over 20 proposed campuses. Residents and local authorities are caught in a tug-of-war with developers championing economic benefits, while locals prioritize environmental preservation.
Data centers: An Overview
Data centers are the backbone of modern digital infrastructure, housing servers that store and process data for everything from artificial intelligence to financial transactions. According to Dan Diorio of the Data Center Coalition, “Data centers are everything we do every day. It’s how we work, it’s how we learn, it’s how we communicate.”
As demand for digital storage grows, data centers expand, necessitating vast quantities of energy and water for cooling. A single data center can consume over 300,000 gallons of water daily, equating to the daily use of about 1,000 homes.
Water Utilization in Data Centers
The water usage of U.S. data centers reached approximately 17 billion gallons in 2023, with future projections suggesting an increase. However, Dan Diorio argues that data centers are efficient water users compared to other industries. “Data centers use less water than golf courses, manufacturing facilities, and food and beverage production,” he states.
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) is monitoring data center developments, ensuring responsible water usage. Andrew Dehoff, SRBC’s executive director, notes that water consumption varies significantly between facilities, influenced by cooling technologies and developmental stages.
Community Concerns and Responses
Residents relying on well water express fears about data centers depleting local aquifers. “Something like this project that could really devastate our water table is the last thing we need,” said Thatcher Barton. Despite developer assurances of alternative water sources, skepticism persists.
Legal challenges and zoning amendments reflect the community’s resistance to rapid industrialization. In Clifton and Covington townships, zoning laws are evolving to accommodate the burgeoning data center industry, yet not without controversy and legal disputes.
Preserving North Pocono’s Natural Heritage
The Barton Brothers Property, a haven of ecological diversity, lies atop mountain watersheds feeding both the Susquehanna and Delaware River basins. The property’s pristine streams and bogs are crucial for sustaining local ecosystems.
Walter Barton emphasizes the importance of preserving this unique environment: “It’s things like this that feed our entire freshwater ecosystem.” As data centers encroach, the Barton family and other local stakeholders continue to advocate for the protection of their natural heritage.
Ultimately, the ongoing dialogue between developers and local communities will shape the future of Northeast Pennsylvania’s landscapes, balancing technological progress with environmental stewardship.
