An AI data center in Denver Water’s service area is facing local scrutiny after a resident video appeared to show the site watering its lawn during drought restrictions, according to Tom’s Hardware. The outlet reports that the video shows extensive sprinkler use near a newly built AI data center, with the resident complaining that the site was watering a large green area while households face limits. The central fact remains unresolved: the provided reporting does not establish whether the data center broke any rule. Tom’s Hardware says the date of the video is unknown, which matters because the restrictions still allow some commercial lawn watering on specified days through the end of September. According to Tom’s Hardware, citing Gadget Review, Denver Water imposed Stage 1 drought restrictions across its service area starting in August 2026 as supplies continued to fall. Commercial properties, including data centers, can reportedly water grass only twice a week — Tuesdays and Fridays — until September 30. Starting October 1, lawn sprinklers are set to be banned until the Board of Water Commissioners says otherwise. Tom’s Hardware also flags two possible exemptions. Denver Water rules reportedly allow recycled, non-potable water to be used for irrigation any day of the week. A property could also hold a variance from the utility provider for special circumstances. Without confirmation of the video date, the water source, or any variance, the available evidence cannot show whether the site was compliant or in violation. The incident lands amid broader resistance to data center development. Tom’s Hardware notes that residents and local governments have raised concerns about data centers’ resource use and other possible impacts such as noise and air pollution. The outlet also says Denver and hundreds of other jurisdictions have passed temporary bans or moratoriums on data center development. For now, this is less a proven violation than a governance test. The video has made the optics clear: during drought restrictions, even landscaping at an AI facility can become a flashpoint. The unresolved questions are the ones that would have to be answered for the issue to move beyond outrage and into facts. Who benefits: Too early to tell. Tom’s Hardware identifies permitted watering days, recycled non-potable water, or a variance as possible explanations. Who's exposed: The site remains exposed to public scrutiny while those facts are unknown. The source does not establish whether it violated drought rules.