Water development board says ‘limited’ info available about data centers for 2027 state water plan
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) adopted its initial 2027 State Water Plan, which includes minimal information on data center water use due to a lack of available data. Public comments expressed concern about this omission, with some Texans requesting regulation of data center development, though the TWDB stated it lacks authority for such regulation. The board denied a petition seeking mandatory standalone water demand projections for data centers.
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) adopted its initial 2027 State Water Plan on July 23, revealing that it contains minimal information regarding water usage by data centers and AI facilities. Despite concerns from the public, the 97-page plan, which outlines 3,000 proposed water management projects and 6,700 strategies to prepare for future droughts, only mentions "data centers" twice.
Public comments on the draft plan exceeded 1,000, with approximately 268 specifically addressing data center and cryptocurrency mining water consumption. Commenters expressed concerns about the plan's failure to account for data center water use and future demand, and some requested that the TWDB regulate or restrict such developments. However, TWDB officials clarified that they lack the authority to regulate data centers, as such regulations fall under the purview of the state legislature.
Temple McKinnon, TWDB water planning director, previously informed state lawmakers that a significant majority (83%) of the 341 data centers surveyed last year failed to respond to required annual water use surveys. This low response rate, according to Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin, undermines long-term water planning and public trust. The TWDB cited this "limited data" as the primary reason for the industry's minimal inclusion in the 2027 plan.
During the July 23 meeting, the board denied a petition from Wimberley resident Margaret Elizabeth Hill, who sought mandatory standalone water demand projections for data centers and crypto-mining operations, citing a UT-Austin report predicting data centers could account for 3-9% of Texas' water use by 2040. While the petition was denied, board members noted that regional water plans can be amended as more information becomes available. The TWDB plans to expand its data collection and analysis efforts for "high-load digital infrastructure water demands" for the upcoming 2032 state water plan, acknowledging the difficulty of long-term forecasting due to evolving technologies and proprietary siting information.