Texas lawmakers attempt to track data centers' water usage as state faces shortage
Texas is facing a potential freshwater shortage, leading lawmakers to push for data centers to report their water and energy usage. Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a directive pausing future data center construction until this information is collected. Google, a major data center operator in North Texas, claims to be compliant and has already provided its data.
Texas faces a looming freshwater shortage amidst rapid population and industry growth, prompting significant legislative attention to data center water consumption. State Senator Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) aims to quantify data center water usage, project future needs, and identify necessary legislative measures.
State law already mandates data centers report their energy and water usage by the end of this year. Following a lack of response, Governor Greg Abbott issued a directive in August, pausing all future data center construction until this crucial information is gathered. Google, which operates two data centers in North Texas, asserts it is a responsible actor in the industry and has already submitted its water usage metrics to the state. Suzie Shin, Manager of Google Data Center Sustainability Programs, highlighted the company's global goal to replenish more freshwater than it consumes by 2030 and its $20 million investment in Texas for water-saving agricultural practices and community water infrastructure.
Google's North Texas facilities used nearly 330 million gallons of water in 2025, employing an evaporative cooling system. Senator Perry expressed strong opposition to such systems for future data centers, vowing to prohibit them in the next legislative session. While a Google representative noted evaporative cooling helps reduce energy use and does not rely on potable water, the company plans to use air-cooling systems in its upcoming facilities. However, construction for these remains paused due to the state's audit. Senator José Menéndez (D-San Antonio) emphasized the need for transparency in water usage to alleviate public concerns. Lawmakers anticipate hundreds of bills addressing data center energy and water usage during the upcoming legislative session, starting in early November.