Perfect storm: Drought, data centers and NDAs
Virginia is experiencing a drought, with hundreds of data centers collectively withdrawing approximately 6 million gallons of water daily from state waterways and reservoirs. This heavy water usage is impacting local farmers, such as Jay Hundley in Champlain, whose farm creek has become too salty due to low water levels and baywater intrusion.
Virginia is currently facing widespread drought conditions, with data centers across the state drawing around 6 million gallons of water daily from local waterways and reservoirs. This extensive water usage is causing significant environmental concerns, particularly for agricultural operations.
Jay Hundley, a farmer in Champlain, Virginia, highlighted the impact on his Cloverfield Farm, where Farmers Hall Creek can no longer be used for irrigation due to low water levels allowing salty baywater from the Chesapeake Bay to intrude. Hundley expressed concerns about a data center planned upriver from his farm, fearing further strain on the Rappahannock River's water levels already affected by drought and population growth.
The article also references specific data center developments, including a CloudHQ facility near the Manassas Regional Airport, which is associated with a $40 million "Wakeman substation" and advertises 135 megawatts of power. Another data center, built in 2009, is part of a cluster near Prince William County's Innovation Park.