Video showing Google considering Wichita Falls water for data center
This video shows Google looking to purchase up to 150,000 gallons of Wichita Falls water per day from Wichita Valley Water Corporation for its data centers.
Google has committed $10 million to water management in Texas as it works to expand its data center footprint in the state. This is the largest of seven state-level commitments in a new $17 million national initiative.
The Texas Water Impact Fund, announced Wednesday, will support local water sources, infrastructure and access across the state, Google said.
This impact fund supports Google’s ongoing water management and replenishment efforts, furthering our commitment to responsibly manage critical water resources in the construction and operation of our data centers.
Ben Townsend, Google’s global head of infrastructure strategy and sustainability, said in a statement that the company believes it has a responsibility to balance data center expansion with regional water needs.
“As data centers evolve to support a growing digital world, we have an opportunity and a responsibility to protect local water resources while investing in watersheds and public water infrastructure to ensure we all have a bright water future. Our goal is to deliver on these promises while creating a blueprint for responsible water use across the industry,” Townsend said.
The Texas pledge is part of a larger $17 million investment to support new projects that advance Google’s water management goals in Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska. Google has a total of 165 water management projects In 97 basins nationwide.
Those goals include:
- By 2030, replenish more water than you consume at your business sites
- We help communities modernize their water and wastewater infrastructure.
- Protect at-risk watersheds with air cooling solutions.
- Transparent reporting of your company’s annual water usage.
- Seeking alternative and regenerative solutions to protect water resources.
Google has also committed more than $500 million to develop water, wastewater, and water reuse infrastructure and to utility partners that provide water to the communities where we operate and build data centers.
The announcement comes as Google is building or planning data centers across Texas, including a super-large data center in Archer County near Wichita Falls, which has drawn opposition from the community.
Mateo Rosiles is a Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and local Texas newspapers. Do you have any news tips for him? Email us at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
