{
  "id": 13984135,
  "title": "What data centers need to consider when storing produced water",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/what-data-centers-need-to-consider-when-storing-produced-water",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-12T14:24:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechRadar",
    "slug": "techradar",
    "url": "https://www.techradar.com/pro/what-data-centers-need-to-consider-when-storing-produced-water"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Data centers are under increasing scrutiny regarding their water usage and capacity. A potential solution being considered is the use of produced water from oil and gas operations. The US Environmental Protection Agency launched its Water Reuse Action Plan 2.0 in April 2026, prioritizing water reuse for data center cooling. According to forecasts, the Permian Basin is expected to produce an average of 22.3 million barrels of water per day by 2025, with around 16 million barrels going to disposal. Efficiently repurposing this water for data center cooling could help reduce demand on potable supplies. However, made-to-measure storage is critical due to the variable water quality of produced water, which can be brackish, highly saline, or contain minerals. The storage system must be designed to accommodate these differences, with materials that resist corrosion and have a robust finish. Tanks can be specified using fusion-bonded epoxy, glass-fused-to-steel, or galvanized sectional glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), each with their own benefits. Early involvement of the tank manufacturer is recommended to account for space, temperature, and future expansion considerations. Data centers are expected to remain operational for decades, so supporting water infrastructure should be designed for long-term use, not just purchase price. Industrial epoxy and glass-fused-to-steel tanks can last between 35 to 45 years, depending on maintenance. These considerations should be taken into account during the specification process to ensure the system's lifetime cost is minimized and the system can be delivered successfully.",
  "summary": "Produced water could transform data center cooling, but the right storage strategy is essential.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}