Data center water use in Texas: What's myth, what's reality
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has enacted a freeze on new data center projects across the state due to persistent concerns about their unregulated growth and impact on state resources. This decision comes as state regulators struggle to survey companies on their water and electricity usage, which is legally required. The move is in response to fears that data center water consumption, currently less than 0.5% of the state's supply, could surge to 9% by 2040.
Texas is addressing the rapid expansion of data center developments amid growing concerns over resource depletion. Community members and elected officials have voiced worries about the unregulated growth, specifically highlighting its impact on the state's water supply.
In response to these concerns, Governor Greg Abbott has implemented a freeze on all new data center projects. This halt is intended to remain in effect until state regulators can accurately assess the water and electricity demands of these facilities. This action follows a period where state regulators attempted to survey companies regarding their water usage, with most companies failing to respond despite a legal obligation to do so.
Experts note that not all data centers utilize water for cooling. For instance, the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) at UT Austin, home to the nation's largest academic supercomputer, employs a closed-loop system using non-conductive fluid or liquid pumped directly across chips, which in turn are cooled by water. According to TACC's executive director, their system has reused the same million gallons of water since 2012.
While data centers currently consume less than 0.5% of Texas's water, a UT study projects this figure could increase to 9% by 2040, underscoring the urgency behind the state's new regulatory pause.