Botetourt Planning Commission Seeks Water Forum Over 2 Million-Gallon Data Center Demand
Updated
Updated · Cardinal News · Jul 22
Botetourt Planning Commission Seeks Water Forum Over 2 Million-Gallon Data Center Demand
3 articles · Updated · Cardinal News · Jul 22
Summary
Botetourt County’s Planning Commission unanimously asked the Board of Supervisors to authorize a public forum on water supply planning, drought response and infrastructure accountability at its July 28 meeting.
Up to 2 million gallons a day are reserved initially for the proposed data center campus from Carvins Cove Reservoir, with agreements allowing potential expansion to 8 million gallons daily.
Carvins Cove stood at 64.5% of capacity on July 18 and Spring Hollow at 77.1%, with voluntary conservation already in effect and past droughts—especially 2001-2002—highlighting regional supply risks.
County officials and the Western Virginia Water Authority have said the facility would face the same drought restrictions as other customers, while Google would fund a substantial share of related infrastructure.
The proposed forum would add public scrutiny and expert input to ongoing technical and state-mandated regional planning rather than replace those processes.