AI data centres for Kamloops not without controversy, concern for water

A Kamloops city councillor has her doubts about the viability and optics of upcoming data centres, but there may be nothing she can do about it.

It’s the water use that raises the highest concern for Coun. Dale Bass as Telus aims to expand and convert an operating data centre for artificial intelligence.

“I’ve made it clear to my colleagues that I have a huge concern about putting this in a semi-arid, drought-stricken community,” she said.

Along with Bell, the two telecom giants plan to run three AI-focused data centres in Kamloops amid a booming industry. But the growing concern for similar projects elsewhere has been focused on the water they consume.

In an April news release, Telus claimed its “revolutionary” cooling system reduces the water need from a projected 68 million litres to 17 million litres per year when compared to “traditional” data centres.

Meanwhile, the city has imposed new water use restrictions in recent years as river levels fall in a warming climate.

“The river isn’t that high anymore, so Kruger is already dredging because they’re not getting enough water out of the river,” Bass said. “When I raised that with a colleague I hear ‘they’re always dredging because they can’t get enough’, but that’s the point… What is this going to do?”

Unlike another server farm connected to Thompson Rivers University, there’s no indication the Telus project will use water in a closed-loop system, meaning it would use city water sources. Once used to cool the servers, most of the water evaporates.

Despite her concerns about the environmental impact and water availability, it’s unlikely to factor into an eventual debate over development permits because the Telus proposal is expected to abide by zoning laws, she said.

“It’s a difficult position to be in as a council member, but I’m comfortable in saying I’m not comfortable with this,” she said.

While Bass questions whether the data centres could affect city water systems and river levels, others on council are excited at the prospect of a booming technology sector investing in Kamloops.

“I think AI is going to play a big part in the world going forward and Kamloops can play a big part in that. I hope it’s something we can grab on to. It’s one thing being the Tournament Capital of Canada, we could be the AI Capital of Canada, as well,” Coun. Mike O’Reilly told iNFOnews.ca earlier this month.

He added that data centres are moving to reduce their water use and it’s a cost businesses would likely prefer not to bear if the cooling technology progresses.

A development proposal for the Telus project hasn’t gone to city council yet.