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- 1Data centre boom strains Alberta's water and power resources●An environmental reckoning? Data centre rush hits hard realities # Alberta # Canada # Tech # AI # Water # DataCentres #
Alberta is facing growing scrutiny over its rapid expansion of data centres, driven largely by demand from the artificial intelligence industry. Reports highlight the strain on local water supplies, electricity grids and natural gas resources, with rural communities and utilities caught up in the push. Critics frame it as an environmental reckoning, raising questions about whether the economic benefits outweigh the costs to land, water and climate commitments in the province.
- 2Colorado Springs Utilities Turns to Beavers for Wildfire Protection▼Colorado Springs Utilities Takes a Cue from Beavers to Protect Against Future Wildfires
Colorado Springs Utilities is adopting beaver-inspired restoration techniques to reduce wildfire risk in its watersheds. The approach uses beaver dam analogues and natural structures to slow runoff, retain moisture, and rebuild landscapes after burns, part of a broader shift toward nature-based solutions for water security and fire resilience in Colorado.
- 3EBMUD Director Andy Katz: climate change poses biggest challenges▼EBMUD Director Andy Katz: Climate change brings biggest challenges
Andy Katz, a director of the East Bay Municipal Utility District, says climate change brings the biggest challenges facing the water utility. Writing in Berkeleyside, he frames shifting precipitation, drought and extreme weather as core pressures on water supply management for the East Bay, an issue of direct concern to residents and ratepayers as agencies plan for long-term water reliability.
- 4AI could extend lifespans of aging water infrastructure▼Opinion: AI, other technology can extend lifespans of water infrastructure
A Crain's Detroit Business opinion piece argues that artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies can significantly extend the service lives of water infrastructure. The commentary suggests predictive tools could help utilities monitor pipelines, detect problems earlier, and defer costly replacements amid mounting maintenance backlogs and funding pressures on public water systems.