Virginia's Water Supply Is Under Threat - and AI Data Centers Are Making the Problem Worse
A Google AI data center in Botetourt County, Virginia, is raising significant concerns about its projected water usage, which could be up to 8 million gallons per day. A FOIA lawsuit was required to release information on the project's water impact, sparking public outrage over the lack of transparency from local governments and the Western Virginia Water Authority. Critics are advocating for immediate state regulations and the elimination of tax credits for data centers utilizing outdated, water-intensive cooling technologies to protect Virginia's water supply and agriculture.
The article, authored by Freeda Cathcart of the Blue Ridge Soil and Water Conservation Board, highlights the severe threat posed by proliferating data centers, particularly AI facilities, to Virginia's clean water supply and agricultural industry. It emphasizes agriculture's significant economic impact in the Commonwealth and criticizes rural county governments for promoting data center development without adequately disclosing environmental and economic impacts, often under non-disclosure agreements that bypass public input.
A specific case involving a planned Google AI mega data center in Botetourt County is cited, where a local newspaper, the Roanoke Rambler, had to sue to obtain water usage data via a FOIA request. The data revealed the facility could use 2 million to 8 million gallons of water daily, significantly more than other top local utility customers. Judge Ciaffone emphasized the public's "overwhelming interest" in water management, noting the lack of state-wide data center regulations. The data center's potential impact extends beyond Botetourt to other localities served by the Western Virginia Water Authority, raising concerns about new water sources and well impacts.
While a new state bill (HB 496) passed by the Virginia General Assembly will require water usage reports by 2027, the author argues for immediate action, especially with most of Virginia under drought warning conditions. The piece advocates for regulations mandating water-efficient cooling technologies, such as zero-water evaporation systems, and calls for a reevaluation of tax credits for data centers using outdated, water-intensive methods. It also briefly mentions the electricity demands of data centers and the broader implications of the "AI race" compared to environmental protection efforts.