Linn County considers Google-funded independent water study tied to Palo data center
Linn County is considering an agreement under which Google would reimburse up to $242,000 for an independent study of water resources related to the proposed Palo data center. The county would select Black & Veatch, control the study’s scope and findings, and examine water use, future demand, aquifers, the Cedar River and drought conditions.
Linn County officials are considering a proposed agreement requiring Google to reimburse up to $242,000 for a county-controlled water study tied to the company’s proposed data center in Palo. The study, which would be conducted by Black & Veatch, would assess current and future water demand, the Cedar River, area aquifers and resource conditions during average and drought years.
County officials said Google would not direct the study or access its findings until the review is complete. Google has already conducted its own water assessment and told residents that independent hydrologists and engineers lead its data center water evaluations, while also describing water replenishment and quality-improvement projects in Iowa. The Linn County Board of Supervisors is expected to consider the agreement at a future meeting, with results anticipated in March; the study would inform future water policies but would not commit the county to approving the data center project.