Water Authority Releases Google Data Center Records Ahead of Scheduled Contempt Hearing

Water Authority Releases Google Data Center Records Ahead of Scheduled Contempt Hearing

News ClipThe Roanoke Rambler·Botetourt, Botetourt County, VA·2/25/2026

The Western Virginia Water Authority has released records showing how much water a Google data center complex in Botetourt County, Virginia could use, after previously trying to keep this information private. This case could have far-reaching implications in Virginia over whether governments can invoke 'proprietary information' exemptions to withhold public data on data center water usage.

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Google
Gov: Western Virginia Water Authority, Roanoke Circuit Court
The Western Virginia Water Authority on Monday released to The Roanoke Rambler records showing how much water a Google data center complex in Botetourt County could use, after spending months and thousands in legal bills trying to hide what everybody already knew. The authority agreed to provide th