Roanoke speaks up: Letters to the editor for the week of Oct. 9, 2026
A letter published in The Roanoke Times questions whether the Western Virginia Water Authority can meet the water and wastewater needs of Google’s proposed data center project in Botetourt County. The letter cites conflicting statements from the authority’s executive director and a utility services agreement with developer Helio Capital.
A letter in The Roanoke Times challenges statements by Western Virginia Water Authority Executive Director Michael McEvoy about the authority’s ability to serve Google’s planned data center project in Botetourt County. McEvoy said the authority could meet the project’s requirements without significant strain on its system.
The writer argues that this claim conflicts with the authority’s utility services agreement with Helio Capital, which reportedly says the project’s initial water and wastewater solution exceeds both current and future capacity available through existing infrastructure. The article is part of a weekly roundup of reader letters and does not report a formal government decision or project outcome.