From Copper, Cattle and Cotton to Chips and Cloud Computing

As concerns grow about water use in a desert environment, data centers and other large water users have drawn increasing public attention in Central Arizona.

February 11, 2026

Our new paper examines large water uses across economic sectors and places data center demand in context alongside agriculture, turf and landscaping, power generation and other long-standing urban uses. Read our latest paper, From Copper, Cattle and Cotton to Chips and Cloud Computing: Large Water Uses in Central Arizona , to learn how much water different sectors use, the sources of that water and what these comparisons mean for managing water sustainably as Arizona’s economy continues to evolve.

Join us for our Virtual Office Hours from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, when we will discuss our latest paper and and answer your questions.