Residents question officials over potential AI data center’s impact on water in Nodaway County

MARYVILLE, Mo. (KQTV) -- During a public meeting with Water Supply District No. 1 of Nodaway County, residents voiced concerns to those in charge of Maryville's and the surrounding area's water supply regarding potential water usage by a proposed data center in the county.

Residents questioned county officials on water usage from Mozingo Lake and the 102 River, as well as potential health risks and whether entities would be profiting off of people.

The most notable concerns centered around water usage during drought conditions.

Scott Wilson, a backup water operator for the city of Bolckow, attended the meeting to represent his community's interests.

Wilson's water district provides service to Andrew County Public Water Service District Number Four, covering approximately 60 square miles of land with wells positioned near the river.

"We have four wells within a half mile to a mile of the river, and they're influenced by the water level in the river," Wilson explained. "If the river ever gets too low, it's going to be hard for us to pump."

Wilson expressed concern about how a data center's water consumption could directly impact his operations and residents in the area.

"Anything that has any issue or influence on the 102 River could affect us directly," he stated.

Regarding the proposed data center's water usage, Wilson shared what he has learned about the facility's plans.

"They said 1.5 million one-time charge. They're going to recycle a third of that every three years, which would be 500,000. The thing no one understands is that turbines are natural gas turbines. The EPA has mandated they have to have water injected in the back of these turbines to cool them and reduce NOx emissions."

Wilson noted conflicting information about projected water usage.

"The numbers are scary, especially for rural communities who rely on rivers and lakes to provide town water sources," he said.

Additional concerns raised during the meeting included questions about cattle and crop health, particularly for farmers who make up much of Nodaway County's economy.

Residents asked whether county officials had made prior agreements with developers and why residents were not included in those conversations.

Wilson believes the project has lacked transparency.

"If they come with full transparency and everything's there that the whole public can know, there's potential there might be some use for them. It would be very good if everything was studied first. It seems like it's been pushed through, and the community has not been appreciative of that."

Many in attendance accused county officials of "selling out" and putting profit over people.

Wilson added that commissioners are attempting to secure a moratorium on the project to allow for further study.

The meeting highlighted growing tensions between economic development interests and the need to protect local water resources and agricultural livelihoods.

And while many questions were asked, many residents who left said they felt dissatisfied, as many of their concerns were left unanswered.