Botetourt County Faces Over $300M Water Costs for Google's Proposed Data Center Campus
DATA AND AI INFRASTRUCTURE
Google's planned data center campus in Botetourt County, Virginia, is projected to consume up to 8 million gallons of water daily, leading to potential infrastructure costs exceeding $300 million. The county will initially be responsible for the first $100 million, with its share tapering off over time.
While alternative cooling technologies have been discussed, no mandatory water conservation measures are in place for the data centers. Local residents express concerns about the impact on water resources and the rural quality of life, as environmental permits move forward.

Feb 12, 2026, 6:16 AM