Google awards $4.5 million to replace aging water lines in Vernon
Google has awarded $4.5 million to the City of Vernon, Texas, to replace aging water pipelines. This grant is the first project to benefit from Google's $10 million commitment to support community water infrastructure and access projects across Texas, in connection with its data centers. The investment aims to prevent water loss and support local utility resilience, aiding economic growth for the city.
Google announced on September 1, the first recipient of a grant from its $10 million Texas community water infrastructure commitment. The City of Vernon will receive $4.5 million to replace aging water pipelines, an investment made in connection to Google's data centers in the state.
Vernon Mayor Pam Gosline emphasized that Google's contribution is vital for the city's economic growth, future opportunities, and residents' quality of life, enabling the city to attract new businesses and strengthen its foundation. The funding aligns with Google's global commitment to responsibly manage water resources in communities hosting its data centers.
Ben Townsend, Global Head of Infrastructure Strategy & Sustainability at Google, stated the goal is to strengthen vital water resources through tailored local solutions. This initiative also builds on Google's existing water stewardship efforts in Texas, including a partnership with AgriCapture and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation to reduce irrigation withdrawals on 6,000 acres of rice farmland in Southeast Texas, projected to conserve water in the Trinity River Basin. Google aims to replenish more freshwater than it consumes globally by 2030 across its operations.