Project Jupiter’s Water Use: What Southern New Mexico Residents Should Know

Three Important Facts About Project Jupiter's Water Use

1. Zero potable water is used to operate the data center cooling system or fuel cells.

   Project Jupiter will not use the public drinking-water system for data center cooling or fuel cell operations. It will use non-potable well water, which will be purchased under contract from an existing New Mexico water-rights holder.

   This will not degrade the surrounding freshwater supply or threaten the Mesilla Basin Aquifer. The well water will be treated to meet the requirements of the Bloom Energy fuel cell system. Any treatment byproducts will be managed in approved containment or disposal facilities and will never be discharged back into the aquifer.

   Public drinking water will only be used for everyday workplace needs such as kitchens and restrooms.
   

2. The data center and fuel cells are designed to use very little water.

   Claims that Project Jupiter will use a lot of water are not true. Both the closed-loop cooling and fuel cell systems require a one-time fill and then use very little water on a regular basis.

   The four data center buildings' closed-loop cooling systems require a one-time fill of approximately 2.5 million gallons each. Cooling liquid stays within sealed pipes and is repeatedly reused. Day-to-day cooling does not require any added water, and maintenance top-offs are 0-1,000 gallons per year.

   The fuel cell system requires a one-time fill of approximately 960,000 gallons of water. The fuel cells generate electricity through a non-combustion process, and long-term maintenance is expected to total approximately 167,000 gallons per year.
   

3. Total long-term water use is exceptionally low.

   On an ongoing basis, after the systems' initial fills, the data center and fuel cells will require only about 168,000 gallons of water per year, or roughly 457 gallons per day. That's the annual water use of about two American households.

   We will use approximately 11 million gallons of non-potable water for the systems' initial fill. Coupled with the 168,000 gallons per year for maintenance, over 15 years, this averages to the annual use of about nine U.S. households over the same period.
   

Low Water Usage

Project Jupiter isn't just minimizing its own water use-it is also helping strengthen the region's water infrastructure. The project has committed $50 million to improve the county's local water and wastewater systems-an investment designed to improve community infrastructure for residents and businesses alike. To date, Project Jupiter has funded approximately 80% of that commitment, with the remaining funding expected later this month. This investment is separate from Project Jupiter's own operational water needs and reflects Oracle's long-term commitment to supporting sustainable growth in Southern New Mexico.

Water is one of New Mexico's most precious natural resources and Oracle is committed to using it responsibly. We believe we can deliver economic prosperity for Doña Ana County while helping to protect the Mesilla Basin Aquifer and the environment for future generations.

This is a project that brings $4.7B in economic benefit but just uses nine single family homes worth of non-potable water including the one-time fill. And that's why Project Jupiter is the right, responsible data center for New Mexico.

We will continue to listen, share information, and work with local leaders and the community to ensure Project Jupiter remains a responsible long-term partner in Southern New Mexico.