Neighbours living near a proposed artificial intelligence data center south of Regina are expressing worries regarding the facility’s water usage and potential noise disturbances. Details revealed in documents recently submitted to the Rural Municipality of Sherwood by an anonymous company show that Bell Canada intends to construct a campus spanning around 65 hectares of land. The data center is said to be a crucial digital infrastructure supporting research, provincial AI advancement, and federally protected industries.
The University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic have shown support for the project, emphasizing the anticipated research and educational advantages in accompanying letters. Nevertheless, nearby landowners have voiced their concerns and are seeking clarifications about the development. The issues, particularly regarding water consumption, have been highlighted in letters within the submitted documents. The landowners, identified as “Adjacent and Area Landowners,” stress the absence of information on water sourcing and its potential impacts on neighboring wells.
These concerned property owners are urging the municipality to ascertain whether the project will utilize municipal water or groundwater extraction, and if the latter is chosen, how monitoring and measurement procedures will be implemented. While the exact water requirements for the proposed center remain unspecified, the documents indicate that water services will be facilitated through private cisterns. David Meyer, an engineering assistant professor at the University of Toronto, underscores the significance of understanding water usage in data centers, cautioning about potential strains on local resources.
The concerns raised by the neighboring property owners extend to noise pollution, drainage concerns, and the potential strain on road infrastructure due to the data center. They are advocating for property line noise limits to be mandated for the project, emphasizing that even minor increases in noise levels can significantly impact rural residents. The specific size and capacity details of the data center are yet to be fully disclosed; however, references within the documents suggest the inclusion of multiple interconnected data center buildings and over “300” parking spaces.
As per the documents, the data center will be powered by a SaskPower substation, with an existing facility located in close proximity to the designated site. Initial construction activities on the parcel are projected to commence sometime this year, as per the submitted documents. Bell Canada has not responded to requests for comments on the matter.