Austin eyes new rules for large water users
Austin city leaders are considering new rules to regulate large water users, including data centers, due to concerns about straining the local water supply. Proposed regulations might include requiring water reuse and land use restrictions. Austin City Council members plan to direct the city manager to develop these rules by July.
Austin, Texas, city leaders are actively discussing new regulations for large-volume water users, including data centers and semiconductor manufacturers, amidst concerns about the strain on the local water supply. During a recent Climate, Water, Environment and Parks Committee meeting, officials acknowledged that current rules, which are largely based on facility square footage, make it difficult to identify and track significant water users until they are operational. Randi Jenkins of Austin Water highlighted the challenge of relying on online research to identify existing large users.
Proposed measures include requiring large users to implement water reuse practices, a commitment already seen in newer developments across Texas. The Austin region currently hosts approximately 80 data centers, according to Baxtel's global tracking data. Five Austin City Council members have indicated their intention to direct the city manager to formulate methods for regulating these developments, possibly through land use restrictions, by July. However, council members also noted that the city's regulatory power might be limited, as many data centers are constructed outside city limits.