Texans Debate Data Center Strain on Water Supply: States of Play

April 13, 2026, 6:32 PM UTC

Texans Debate Data Centers’ Water Use

Surging data center development could worsen an already strained water supply in Texas — or help finance long-delayed efforts to expand it, Alexandra Samuels reports.

At a policy summit in Austin, state Sen. Charles Perry said some developers underestimated how much water their facilities need, especially for cooling systems and power generation.

But Perry and other panelists said those same projects could help address water needs — if developers are willing to invest in infrastructure. Some large companies are already exploring ways to fund projects, including desalination and brackish groundwater development, ...

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