Cape Town activists demand moratorium on new data centres over water use

Civil society organizations in Cape Town are calling for an immediate moratorium on the construction of new data centres, citing deep concerns over the facilities' massive water consumption. Groups including Housing Assembly and Foxglove argue that these industrial developments threaten the water security of a region already grappling with scarcity and the looming threat of 'Day Zero' restrictions. The demand for a pause comes as global tech firms expand their footprint in South Africa to support digital growth, often in proximity to communities that lack basic utility infrastructure. The tension is particularly acute in the Barcelona community of Cape Town, where residents currently live without access to piped water or sanitation. In this neighborhood, young boys are frequently seen carrying large bottles of water from communal taps to their homes, highlighting the stark inequality in resource distribution. Activists point out that while local citizens struggle for every drop, major data centres—such as those being developed by the US-based firm Equinix—have the potential to consume billions of litres of water annually for cooling purposes. In response to the backlash, Equinix has stated it aims to address community concerns, though the company has yet to finalize specific plans for its facility near Barcelona. Meanwhile, the South African government continues to support data centre investment as a pillar of the country’s digital economy. However, critics argue that the government is failing to prioritize local community needs or environmental impacts, urging the establishment of a robust legal framework to govern resource use before any further construction is permitted. The standoff reflects a broader global debate over the environmental cost of the digital revolution, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions. As Cape Town remains at risk of severe drought, the push for a moratorium highlights the urgent need for a balance between industrial advancement and the fundamental human right to water. Without transparent regulatory oversight and sustainable cooling technologies, activists warn that the data centre rush could come at a devastating cost to the city’s most vulnerable populations.