Canton Agreed to Supply Water for Data Center Projects
The city has approved water service for four proposed data centers while considering new industrial utility rates.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Data Centers
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Canton officials have agreed to provide water to four proposed data center projects located in the city and neighboring Perry Township. These facilities are expected to utilize a combined 1.7 million gallons of water daily at peak capacity.
Why it matters
Canton holds 7 million gallons of excess daily water capacity following the closure of legacy industrial firms. The city is currently reevaluating its water rate structures to ensure high-volume users align with modern economic development goals.
The city provides 24 million gallons of groundwater daily to over 100,000 residents. The four proposed facilities include projects with power capacities ranging from 225 to 320 megawatts.
The players
Amazon
Amazon is a global technology company that manages a massive network of cloud infrastructure and data centers.
DAMAC Digital
DAMAC Digital is a data center developer that implements advanced cooling systems for high-capacity facilities.
The details
Developers are responsible for funding infrastructure improvements, such as water line extensions, while providing the water department with peak usage estimates for their cooling systems. The Amazon data center on Faircrest Street SW and the DAMAC Digital facility are among the projects utilizing these resources.
Timeline
Three data center proposals were submitted to Canton over the past three months.
The city reached its agreement in October 2026.
The Tech Race
Canton's approval follows the broader regional pattern of converting legacy industrial water capacity to support modern, high-demand digital infrastructure. This shift highlights how municipalities are repurposing infrastructure built for 20th-century manufacturing to sustain the growth of the AI era.
The city is currently weighing new water rate structures for large-volume industrial users, which may adjust how utilities are priced for high-demand sites. Residents served by the Canton water system are not expected to see changes to their own service, as the city maintains a surplus.
The takeaway
Canton is leveraging its excess water capacity to secure economic growth from the growing data center sector. Officials are now balancing this influx of industrial demand with the creation of rate structures that prioritize long-term municipal sustainability.
Further reading
For additional context on the expansion of regional digital infrastructure, visit Data Centers.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Review.
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Should your local government prioritize water for industrial development over existing residential capacity?
