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The Dalles officials criticized OPB's investigation into the city's water reservoir expansion linked to Google's data centers. OPB's report revealed two agreements from 2021: one granting Google annual water access for cooling its data centers, and another involving a $28.5 million infrastructure transfer to The Dalles.

Google currently uses a third of the city's water, with its consumption rising from 104 million gallons in 2012 to 434 million gallons in 2024. The Dalles is lobbying for a bill to acquire 150 acres of Mount Hood National Forest to triple its reservoir capacity, despite concerns from environmental groups about impacts on the Dog River, a vital habitat for threatened fish.

The city's population has grown by 12% since 2012, resulting in increased water demand. A recent error in OPB's reporting about projected water rates led to clarifications. The Dalles asserts its reservoir expansion is necessary for its population growth, not solely for Google.