California AI data centre seeks Colorado River water despite earlier promise

A proposed 330-megawatt AI data centre in California's Imperial Valley promised not to use Colorado River water but now seeks 260 million gallons annually.

The developer, Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, filed a lawsuit in June 2026 after two cities denied access to recycled wastewater for cooling.

The Imperial Irrigation District denied the company's water request; the Colorado River is a threatened source for 40 million people.

Developer Sebastian Rucci claims the project would have zero impact by fallowing farmland, but previously stated no intention to use Colorado River water.