Texas Data Centers Ignore Water Surveys at 248 Proposed Sites as Lawmakers Tighten Oversight
Updated
Updated · The Texas Tribune · Jun 24
Texas Data Centers Ignore Water Surveys at 248 Proposed Sites as Lawmakers Tighten Oversight
3 articles · Updated · The Texas Tribune · Jun 24
Summary
Less than a third of surveyed Texas data center companies responded to a state water-use survey, leaving lawmakers questioning whether the results can guide long-term planning.
Twenty-eight companies covering 92 facilities replied to the Public Utility Commission survey, and officials could not say at the hearing how many responses were complete or how many sites were traditional data centers versus crypto mines.
State officials said the weak response reflects a voluntary survey with no incentive to participate, while industry groups cited confidentiality concerns and suggested anonymized, aggregated reporting.
Mandatory Texas Water Development Board surveys have also drawn poor compliance — one-third in 2024 and 17% in 2025 — with noncompliance carrying only a Class C misdemeanor and a maximum $500 fine.
The data gap comes as Texas, with more than 248 proposed data centers, shifts from courting the industry to stricter scrutiny of water use, cooling systems and who pays for new utility infrastructure.