Atlanta data-center cooling proposal would give existing sites three years to convert

Atlanta’s proposed data-center cooling rules would give existing facilities in the city three years from the ordinance’s effective date to switch to closed-loop or substantially non-consumptive cooling. They would have to submit water-conservation and transition plans within 180 days. Watershed Management could approve a different conversion schedule for documented technical, safety or operational circumstances.

New facilities seeking city approvals would need closed-loop cooling or technology providing substantially equivalent water conservation. New water connections would be conditioned on compliance to the fullest extent permitted by law. The proposal would prohibit routine cooling with potable city water, but would allow lawful non-cooling uses such as drinking water, sanitation and fire protection.

For facilities outside Atlanta, the proposal would work through future and renewed water-service agreements where legally permitted, rather than claim unrestricted authority over another municipality. Existing contracts would not be retroactively altered. Temporary exemptions could address emergencies, safety or documented technical barriers, but would need a compliance plan and deadline.

The City Utilities Committee’s Sept. 29 minutes keep ordinance 26-O-1474 on hold and list Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. as the next checkpoint. The hold does not enact the restrictions or start the proposed transition deadlines.