Salt Lake's new data center corridor faces its first water test

Three proposed facilities west of the airport would draw on the same aquifer. City planners want cooling plans on paper before permits move.

Three data center projects proposed for the northwest quadrant would together need more cooling capacity than any existing facility in the state, according to filings reviewed by our newsroom.

Planning staff told the council this week they will ask each developer for a closed-loop or air-cooled design before applications advance. Two of the three developers said they already plan to use reclaimed water.

The council is expected to take up the corridor’s zoning overlay in December.