Call for tighter data center regulations after new DEQ report
A new Virginia Department of Environmental Quality study reveals groundwater supply in Eastern Virginia is constrained and could decline due to industrial use and population growth. The study found that data centers using evaporative cooling would likely not receive permits in the region. Environmental groups are advocating for immediate legislative action to implement stricter water conservation practices and limits on large water withdrawals for data centers.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has released a new study revealing that groundwater supplies in Eastern Virginia, specifically the Virginia Coastal Plain Aquifer System, are constrained and face potential declines. Mandated by a 2024 bill championed by Republican State Senator Richard Stuart and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the study highlights that industrial use and population growth are exacerbating aquifer depletion.
Jay Ford, Virginia Policy Manager for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, noted that the study modeled data center operations and concluded that new data centers relying on evaporative cooling would likely be denied permits within the Eastern Virginia groundwater management area. He emphasized that the state's significant data center industry, if unregulated, could worsen the groundwater crisis, potentially leading to increased saltwater intrusion. Ford expressed regret that the report's delayed release hindered more significant legislative action during Virginia's recent budget debates, which he believes resulted in only "minimal restrictions on water usage" for data centers.
In response, Nicole Riley, Director of Virginia Government Affairs for the Data Center Coalition, asserted that the data center industry utilizes "significantly less water" than other sectors, accounting for under 0.5% of statewide withdrawals in Virginia. She highlighted the industry's investment in water management, air-cooled systems, and advanced solutions like AI-driven cooling optimization and on-site water recycling to enhance efficiency. Riley also stated that discussions about resource availability, including water, are fundamental for developers and local officials, implying projects wouldn't proceed if support is lacking.