US data center developer Rowan Digital Infrastructure has announced plans to invest in an Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) conservation program to offset water use related to its planned Cinco data center in Medina County, Texas.

The company said the investment will achieve a 250 percent offset of the water used by the project.

Funds will be directed to the Edwards Aquifer Conservancy (EAC), which supports the EAA’s Groundwater Conservation Program. The program helps regional farmers transition from water-intensive irrigation methods, such as flood irrigation, to more efficient systems, such as center-pivot irrigation.

Rowan claims that its contribution will support efforts to protect habitat, sustain agriculture, promote water conservation, and develop water management solutions across the Edwards Aquifer region.

“Rowan is committed to meaningful community partnerships that move beyond minimizing impact to delivering real, measurable advances in water stewardship and sustainability,” said Chris Kurtz, director of water strategy at Rowan.

“By partnering with the Edwards Aquifer Conservancy on this initiative, we are delivering on our promise to redefine digital infrastructure development through our work as a responsible, responsive, and community-oriented partner to the Medina County region.”

The Cinco Data Center project is expected to cover 440 acres and have a capacity of 300MW at full buildout. The company broke ground at the site in August of last year, with it expected to reach operational status in 2027. Renders suggest the site could include up to seven buildings, though the first phase is set to be a single building.

According to the company, the data center will utilize a cooling system designed to limit water consumption and reuse water efficiently. Additional water use will be limited to employee facilities.

Set up in 2021 by Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners and Birch Infrastructure, Rowan (formerly known as Rowan Green Data) is developing three campuses within TPG’s Quantum Frederick Park in Maryland. Rowan is also developing a 300MW campus in Temple, Texas, and a four-building campus in Oregon.

The EAA manages the southern segment of the Edwards Aquifer, which supplies drinking water to more than 2.5 million people and supports agricultural, industrial, and municipal needs.