Rowan Digital Infrastructure Invests in Texas Water Conservation to Offset Data Center Impact
February 6, 2026
As the data center industry faces increasing scrutiny over its environmental footprint, particularly water usage in water-stressed regions, sustainable water stewardship has become a critical component of corporate responsibility and long-term operational viability. US data center developer Rowan Digital Infrastructure announced on Tuesday a strategic investment in a water conservation program managed by the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) in Texas. The initiative is designed to offset the water consumption associated with Rowan's planned 300-megawatt Cinco data center campus in Medina County. The company stated its financial contribution to the Edwards Aquifer Conservancy (EAC) will achieve a 250 percent water use offset for the project. The funds will support the EAA's Groundwater Conservation Program, which assists regional farmers in transitioning from traditional, water-intensive flood irrigation to more efficient center-pivot irrigation systems. This partnership aims to protect local habitats, sustain agricultural livelihoods, and promote advanced water management solutions across the aquifer region. "Rowan is committed to meaningful community partnerships that move beyond minimizing impact to delivering real, measurable advances in water stewardship and sustainability," said Chris Kurtz, director of water strategy at Rowan. He added that the collaboration with the EAC fulfills the company's promise to be a responsible and community-oriented partner in the Medina County region. The Cinco data center project, which broke ground in August 2025 and is slated for operational status in 2027, will span 440 acres at full buildout. Rowan emphasized that the campus will utilize a cooling system engineered to limit and efficiently reuse water, with additional usage restricted to employee facilities. The Edwards Aquifer, managed by the EAA in this region, is a vital resource supplying drinking water to over 2.5 million people and supporting agricultural, industrial, and municipal needs. Rowan's investment signals a growing trend where major digital infrastructure players proactively address resource constraints. By funding conservation efforts that yield a net-positive water impact, the company is not only mitigating its own operational draw but also contributing to the resilience of the local water system—a model that could set a precedent for future developments in arid and semi-arid markets.
Source: datacenterdynamics
