Tucson Adopts New Regulations for Large Water Users After Project Blue Rejection

The Tucson City Council has unanimously passed a new ordinance requiring large water users, such as data centers, to apply for access to the city's water system and demonstrate their water conservation efforts. This move follows the council's recent rejection of Project Blue, a proposed data center that would have consumed hundreds of millions of gallons of water annually and faced public backlash due to secrecy and environmental concerns. The ordinance mandates council approval of applications, makes these applications public records, and imposes strict limits and penalties for water overuse, including fines and potential service shutoffs. While no current users meet the threshold for large water use, the regulation is a proactive step to safeguard Tucson's water resources amid growing interest from water-intensive industries. The ordinance is seen by city officials and environmental advocates as an immediate guardrail, though some community members desire even stronger restrictions or temporary halts on large projects until broader community consensus is reached. Nearby municipalities like Marana have implemented even stricter policies, such as prohibiting potable water use for data center cooling, highlighting a regional trend towards tighter water management.