Neighbours living near a proposed artificial intelligence data center positioned south of Regina are expressing worries regarding the facility’s water consumption and noise pollution. Recent filings by an anonymous company with the Rural Municipality of Sherwood revealed plans by telecommunication giant Bell Canada to establish a campus spanning around 65 hectares, with the data center aimed at serving as essential digital infrastructure for research, provincial AI advancement, and federally protected industries.
Endorsements from the University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic highlight anticipated research and educational advantages associated with the project. Nevertheless, neighboring landowners have voiced concerns and are seeking clarifications about the proposed initiative.
In letters included in the document package submitted to the RM, these concerns, particularly regarding water usage, are emphasized by the “Adjacent and Area Landowners.” The letters point out the absence of details in the developer’s communication regarding the water source and management of impacts on nearby wells, crucial for landowners reliant on private wells.
The community members urge the municipality to investigate whether the project will rely on municipal water or groundwater extraction, emphasizing the need for clear monitoring and measurement protocols if extraction is chosen. While the specific water requirements for the proposed data center remain unspecified, the documents suggest that private cisterns will cater to its water needs.
According to David Meyer, an engineering assistant professor at the University of Toronto, the concentrated water usage in data centers can strain existing infrastructure due to simultaneous high demand. However, Meyer notes that in the broader context, sectors like agriculture and urban human consumption often surpass data centers in water utilization.
Concerns raised with the municipal authorities by adjacent property owners also encompass worries about noise pollution, drainage issues, and the potential strain on road infrastructure resulting from the data center. They advocate for the imposition of noise limits at property lines to mitigate any disturbances.
Details about the total size and capacity of the data center are yet to be fully disclosed, although the documents mention multiple interconnected buildings and reference over “300” parking spaces. The filings indicate that a SaskPower substation will supply the necessary power for the data center, with an existing substation located nearby.
Initial construction activities on the site could commence as early as this year, as indicated in the documents. Bell Canada has not responded to requests for comments regarding the project.