Utah Voters Put Water Ahead of Data-Center Growth
6 in 10 Oppose Additional Large Data Centers; 81% Support Proposed Federal Great Salt Lake Funding
PHOENIX, AZ (September 23, 2026) — Utah voters are highly concerned about the effect of growth and development on the state's water supply, and those concerns carry directly into how they view additional large data centers, according to Noble Predictive Insights’ (NPI) latest Utah Public Opinion Pulse (UTPOP).
This UTPOP, conducted from September 8-12, 2026, surveyed 602 registered voters in Utah, yielding a margin of error of ± 3.99%.
Nearly 9 in 10 voters are concerned about the impact of growth and development on Utah's water supply. Six in 10 oppose additional large data centers, and when voters are asked to weigh economic benefits against water, electricity, and infrastructure demands, the preference for limiting additional development widens further.
Water Concern is Nearly Universal
Eighty-nine percent of Utah voters are concerned about growth and development's impact on the state's water supply, including 55% who are very concerned. Total concern is essentially the same across parties, and never falls below 85% across any age group or region.
"Water is one of the rare issues that puts nearly the entire electorate in the same place," said Mike Noble, NPI Founder & CEO. "The level of concern is remarkably consistent across party lines."
6 in 10 Oppose More Large Data Centers
Sixty percent oppose the construction of additional large data centers in Utah, including 42% who strongly oppose them. Opposition exceeds support across all parties, rising to 68% among women and 69% among young and rural voters. Men are more divided: 43% support additional data centers, while 52% oppose them.
When the tradeoff is made explicit, 62% say Utah should limit additional data-center development because of water use, electricity demand, and infrastructure costs, compared with 18% who prioritize new investment and tax revenue. A majority of every major party group chooses limits. Support for limits reaches 72% among voters 18-29 and 69% among rural voters.
"The economic benefits do not outweigh the resource concerns for most voters in this poll," Noble said. "Once water, power, and infrastructure are part of the tradeoff, majorities across parties favor limits."
Nearby Residents Get the First Say
A majority of voters (52%) say nearby residents should have the most say when large data centers are approved. That rises to 67% among rural voters and 67% in South Rural counties, compared with 46% in Salt Lake County.
Local county and city governments are a distant second at 27%, while state government and developers are in the single digits.
Voters Back Great Salt Lake Funding, Oppose Monument Boundary Reductions
Sixty-two percent say government leaders in Utah and Washington are not doing enough to address problems facing the Great Salt Lake. Women are more likely than men to say more needs to be done, 67% to 55%, while the regional split runs from 68% in North Rural counties to 43% in South Rural counties.
At the same time, 81% support Congress approving the proposed $1 billion federal funding package to restore and protect the lake. Support remains at or above 75% across almost every major demographic group.
By contrast, voters oppose President Donald Trump's recent reductions to Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments by 20 points, with 20% unsure.
"Utah voters are drawing a distinction between federal investment and federal land policy," Noble said. "They strongly support funding for the Great Salt Lake, while opposing the recent monument boundary reductions by 20 points."
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Methodology: This poll was conducted by Noble Predictive Insights from September 8-12, 2026, and surveyed Utah registered voters via online opt-in panel. In total, NPI interviewed 602 registered voters. The sample demographics were weighted to accurately reflect the registered voter population by gender, region, age, party affiliation, race/ethnicity, and education according to recent voter file data, the Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office, and recent Census data. The margin of error was +/- 3.99%. Margins of error are larger for subgroups. Numbers may not total 100% due to rounding.
Media Contact:
Veronica Sutliff, Noble Predictive Insights, v.sutliff@npredictive.com, (602) 390-5248
About Noble Predictive Insights: As a nonpartisan public opinion polling, market research, and data analytics firm, Noble Predictive Insights exists to transform how leaders make decisions by delivering data-based solutions and predictive insights that provide a clear path forward. We bridge the gap between research and strategy with customized strategic research, a hyper-focus on impact, and being true partners with our clients. Noble Predictive Insights (formerly OH Predictive Insights) is a 2023 Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company in the Southwest region, and is ranked in the top 15 most accurate pollsters as well as in the top 5 for lowest average bias in the 2021-22 election cycle by FiveThirtyEight. For more information, please call (602) 641-6565 or visit our website at www.noblepredictiveinsights.com.
