Water use concerns over proposed data center

The proposed Google data center in Botetourt County is raising significant concerns over water usage, with estimates ranging from two to eight million gallons daily. At a recent Western Virginia Water Authority Board meeting, citizens voiced their apprehension about such a large consumer adhering to the same drought contingency plans and payment structures as regular customers, noting that Google's usage could be 30 times that of the current top single user. Mike Makavoy, Executive Director of the Water Authority, stated that the board is actively addressing these concerns. The utility is considering modifying its drought contingency plans within the next six months to better account for large users and is exploring the creation of a new pricing tier specifically for high-demand customers like data centers. Officials also indicated that the Roanoke Valley will likely require a new water source by 2060, suggesting that partnerships with major users could help fund this future investment, though locals questioned the necessity of relying on Google for such funding. Reporting from Roanoke, Monica Johnson of 10 News highlighted that the dialogue between the community and the Water Authority is ongoing, as both parties work towards a solution that balances economic development with environmental stewardship and resource management.