Proposed Sequitor Edge Data Center in Rapid City Adopts Closed-Loop Cooling to Address Drought Concerns
July 5, 2026
Proposed Sequitor Edge Data Center in Rapid City Adopts Closed-Loop Cooling to Address Drought Concerns
As more than half of South Dakota grapples with drought conditions, the proposed Sequitor Edge data center in Rapid City is drawing attention for its water-efficient design. Western South Dakota, where soil moisture levels are among the lowest in the state, faces mounting pressure on water resources as new developments emerge. Water managers are now scrutinizing whether the region can sustainably support such infrastructure.
The Sequitor Edge facility, planned for the Black Hills Industrial Center, addresses these concerns with a closed-loop cooling system. To fill the system for its first phase, the data center will require 65,000 gallons of water. Ongoing operations are projected to consume approximately 110,000 gallons annually. For context, that is less than the yearly water usage of two typical Rapid City households. In contrast, a conventional data center without closed-loop technology can consume hundreds of thousands of gallons per day.
Victoria Blatchford, Vice President of Community Relations and Business Development for Sequitor Edge, highlighted the significance of the design. Having grown up on ranchland in southwestern South Dakota, she is intimately familiar with the region's drought challenges. “Walking across the grass and it’s brittle breaking underneath your feet... It’s a sad state of affairs,” Blatchford said. She emphasized that the company’s approach aligns with local environmental realities.
Rapid City’s water infrastructure currently appears robust. Last year alone, the city produced 3.6 billion gallons of water. Deerfield Reservoir is nearly full, and Pactola Reservoir stands at 81% capacity. Eric Boyda, Rapid City’s Water Manager, noted that the city’s master plan projects its existing water portfolio can handle typical growth through 2115. “We always invest in the future. We look at building a redundant, resilient system. So all of our planning in the past helps us deal with droughts like we’re going through today,” Boyda said.
The project underscores a broader industry trend: data centers are increasingly adopting water-efficient technologies in arid regions. As climate change intensifies drought cycles, closed-loop cooling systems offer a viable path for balancing digital infrastructure growth with environmental stewardship. The Sequitor Edge facility could serve as a model for future developments in water-stressed areas.
Source: kotatv
