Virginia Study Warns Data Center Growth Could Strain Eastern Coastal Plain Aquifer; Calls For Tighter Groundwater Rules

RICHMOND, Va. — A long-delayed state study of groundwater in Virginia's eastern coastal plain — the nation's largest data-center hub — warns that a critical aquifer is likely to decline as population and industrial demand grow. Prepared by environmental scientists and released to the Associated Press after more than six months of delay, the report urges stronger regulatory powers and new planning to protect the region's water supply.

Key Findings

Constrained Supply: The report states the eastern coastal plain's groundwater supply is already constrained and models project declining availability in the near future.

Limited Groundwater for New Large Users: Analysis in the study suggests there likely is not enough groundwater in the region to sustainably support any large, new industrial user. The authors conclude that "under current conditions, it appears unlikely that a data center with evaporative cooling technology (or any comparable water user) would find a reliable, sufficient groundwater supply anywhere" in the region.

Policy Recommendations

The report recommends several steps to strengthen groundwater protection and management:

• Give regulators broader authority to deny or condition large groundwater-withdrawal permits.
• Require applicants seeking large groundwater volumes to first evaluate alternatives such as surface water, water reuse or non-evaporative cooling technologies.
• Improve local and regional water-use planning and coordination to balance municipal, industrial and ecosystem needs.
• Increase funding for water management, including staffing, monitoring equipment and data collection.
• Clarify how regulators should prioritize public drinking water and existing uses under state law.

Context and Concerns

Virginia hosts hundreds of data centers and remains a focal point for industry growth. According to Cleanview, 371 data centers operate statewide and another 438 are planned. The report notes most existing and planned capacity in the eastern region is served by public water systems that largely draw from surface water, but also stresses there is no comprehensive public data on facilities that withdraw groundwater.

FILE - Cars drive past data centers on July 16, 2023, in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)(AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

Groundwater withdrawals in the region fell sharply roughly 15 years ago after a paper mill closure, helping water levels recover in the largest aquifer. That recovery has stalled, and projections now show declines resuming across the aquifer.

"We're standing on the ledge," said Jay Ford, Virginia policy manager for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, reflecting reviewers' reactions to the report's findings.

Political and Transparency Issues

The study was required by state legislation and delayed for months, prompting criticism from environmental groups, local officials and an advisory committee. The Associated Press filed an open-records request after the Department of Environmental Quality initially withheld the report; the governor's office later provided the document and attributed the delay to a backlog of items from the previous administration.

Jack Bledsoe, a spokesperson for Governor Abigail Spanberger, called the study "the most comprehensive analysis of groundwater resources conducted in Virginia history" and said the governor will work with the General Assembly to consider the findings and strengthen groundwater management.

Local Impact: State Sen. Richard Stuart, a Northern Neck Republican who sponsored the bill that prompted the study, said regulators are increasingly telling localities they may need to shift to surface water sources because groundwater is strained. He warned the stakes include residents' drinking water and the seafood industry, which depends on clean water.

Similar groundwater concerns related to data-center growth have arisen in other states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Georgia and South Carolina.

Report Release: The study was provided to the Associated Press late Thursday after months of requests; Associated Press reporters Michael Phillis in Washington and Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, contributed to the coverage.