"Do your homework," Crystal Clear board tables proposed data center water agreement
The Crystal Clear Special Utility District board tabled a proposed water agreement for a planned data center in San Marcos, Texas, after hours of discussion and significant public opposition. Residents expressed concerns about the data center's high water usage and its potential impact on local resources and the community. The decision delays the project's access to water services.
A contentious meeting of the Crystal Clear Special Utility District board in San Marcos, Texas, saw a packed house and hours of discussion over a proposed water agreement for an unnamed data center. Residents from Hays and Guadalupe counties, served by the utility, expressed significant frustration and urged the board to thoroughly research the proposal, which they estimated could consume a third to a quarter of the utility's current water usage.
Concerns extended beyond water consumption to potential impacts on electricity bills, pollution, and the area's susceptibility to "heat domes." Critics underscored the importance of the board "doing their homework" before committing to such a large-scale demand.
Conversely, proponents highlighted the financial benefits, with Guadalupe County Judge Kyle Kutcher, who owns land involved in the project, stating it could inject "a minimum of $400 million of tax property tax revenue into that school system," greatly aiding Navarro ISD. Judge Kutcher also noted the county's struggle to manage rapid development with limited regulatory tools.
Despite the differing viewpoints, many residents focused on the broader community impact, emphasizing that property sales should not negatively affect neighbors. Ultimately, the board decided to table the proposed water agreement, leading to a delay in the data center project's water supply.