Virginia Study Calls for Stricter Groundwater Regulations Amid Data Center Expansion
A study in Virginia highlights potential declines in groundwater availability due to data center growth, urging stringent regulations. It emphasizes the need for improved management and prioritization of drinking water resources as new industrial users emerge.
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Virginia's recent study indicates significant groundwater declines in the eastern region, primarily driven by population growth and industrial demands, particularly from data centers. The report recommends enhanced regulatory authority to reject water withdrawal permits, explore alternative water sources, and enforce usage limits.
It notes an existing groundwater law, established in 1973 and revised in 1992, needs further strengthening due to current unsustainable withdrawal rates. The study cites 371 operational data centers statewide, with 438 more planned, and warns that existing facilities may face challenges securing groundwater permits under current conditions. As data center development continues, effective groundwater management will be critical to ensure both industrial growth and public drinking water needs are met.
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