Project Jupiter Faces Water Supply Challenges in New Mexico
Project Jupiter, a hyperscale data center in Southern New Mexico, requires approximately 1 million gallons of water daily, raising concerns about water rights and supply in the arid Lower Rio Grande Basin. The project will rely on both local utility resources and water purchased from existing rights holders, with ongoing legal and environmental scrutiny.
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Project Jupiter, located near Santa Teresa, requires about 1 million gallons of water daily, significantly exceeding local utility capacity. The region's water rights are constrained, making it challenging for the project to secure additional supplies.
Initial water needs include 2 million gallons for cooling systems and 20,000 gallons daily for office use. A local utility, Camino Real Regional Utility Authority, will cover a portion of this, but the demand from two natural gas microgrids necessitates additional water from existing rights holders.
Santa Teresa Capital LLC, which holds water rights from 2017, has faced opposition to its emergency request to drill a new well to meet these demands. The State Engineer's Office has granted temporary permission for drilling while a hearing is set to review the emergency authorization amidst protests. This situation raises important questions about sustainable water management in the region.
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