Most Texas data centers aren't complying with a Texas law to report water usage
Texas data center operators are widely non-compliant with a state law requiring them to report water usage, prompting anger from lawmakers. Only 17% of 341 data centers responded to a state survey, hindering efforts by the Texas Water Development Board to plan for future water supply. Governor Greg Abbott has called for increased state oversight and mandatory water-efficient technologies for new data centers.
Texas data center operators are largely ignoring state laws to report their water usage, causing frustration among lawmakers who need this data to protect the state's water supply. The Texas Water Development Board revealed that only 17% of the 341 data centers in operation responded to a survey last year, despite a legal requirement to do so. The agency lacks enforcement power, but the Attorney General's office could intervene, according to State Rep. Cody Harris.
This lack of transparency comes amid growing statewide opposition to data centers, particularly in rural communities concerned about their significant water and energy consumption. A recent University of Texas at Austin poll shows that most Texans do not want these facilities in their areas. Lawmakers, including State Rep. Trent Ashby, noted that data center issues have overtaken property tax relief as a top concern.
Adding to the concern, the Public Utilities Commission also conducted a voluntary survey on water use, receiving responses from only 28 companies representing 92 facilities. Lawmakers, such as State Rep. Brad Buckley, criticized the low response rates as "pathetic" and "woefully inadequate," noting it severely compromises the accuracy of the 2027 State Water Plan, which currently doesn't account for data center demand. While Dan Diorio from the Data Center Coalition highlighted the inverse relationship between water and energy use in cooling, Beau Schilz from Amazon Web Services suggested water restrictions could lead to a 14% increase in power demand.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has responded by calling for more state oversight, requesting the legislature mandate water-efficient technologies for new data centers and annual water usage reporting. County officials, like Caldwell County Judge Hoppy Haden and Tom Green County Commissioner Shawn Nanny, testified that rural counties lack regulatory authority over these developments and are facing organized citizen opposition, emphasizing the need for greater local control over natural resources.