Shreveport Water Capacity Faces Data Center Usage Test

Industrial projects may strain municipal resources, prompting operators to review utility access and infrastructure costs.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Utilities

Isometric editorial illustration of a large industrial steel water pipe in an urban trench, representing municipal water infrastructure capacity. — Shreveport city officials and candidates are evaluating the impact of a proposed data center’s 7-million-gallon daily water requirement on municipal infrastructure. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your city prioritize hosting large-scale industrial projects to drive local economic development?

Shreveport City Council candidates Gary Brooks and Tabatha Taylor are debating the potential impact of a proposed data center on city water resources. The project is projected to consume up to 7 million gallons of water daily, drawing attention to utility capacity and infrastructure planning.

Why it matters

The proposal highlights how large-scale industrial projects strain municipal utility infrastructure, impacting water availability for local business operations and future development. Operators should track how such projects influence city-wide capacity and infrastructure bond allocations.

Shreveport operates with a total water capacity of 79 million gallons per day, with current sales averaging 35-40 million gallons daily. The proposed data center is slated to use between 4 million and 7 million gallons daily, a significant portion of the city's surplus capacity.

The players

Gary Brooks

Incumbent member of the Shreveport City Council running for reelection in District B.

Tabatha Taylor

Incumbent member of the Shreveport City Council running for reelection in District A.

Bill Sabo

The city's economic development director responsible for managing industrial growth and permitting.

The details

The city has taken steps to expedite industrial growth by appointing an economic development director and working with the Metropolitan Planning Committee to streamline the permitting process. These efforts align with a $256 million bond passed in March 2024, which supports $19 million in completed street projects and $20 million in planned work. The G-Unit project, totaling $124 million, remains a focal point for assessing how municipal infrastructure can support high-demand industrial tenants.

March 2024: Shreveport voters passed a $256 million infrastructure bond.
Over a year ago: The mayor appointed an economic development director to lead permit streamlining.

Market Landscape

The proposed data center development follows the infrastructure priorities established by the 2024 Shreveport municipal infrastructure bond. This focus on water capacity tests the city's ability to balance industrial expansion against existing utility thresholds.

Operators should monitor whether the proposed water usage levels lead to future utility rate adjustments or changes in commercial water service regulations. Businesses with high water intensity should verify their standing in local municipal development plans and upcoming infrastructure projects.

The takeaway

Large-scale industrial additions require careful analysis of available utility overhead to ensure local service reliability. Owners should track the city's permitting process through the Metropolitan Planning Committee to anticipate any tightening of commercial water access requirements.