Data Center Water Tracker Update: September 23, 2026

The Data Center Water Tracker now carries 175 measures across federal, state, local and interstate levels (32 federal, 85 state, 55 local, 3 interstate), 65 of them enacted, alongside 147 published data center water figures covering all fifty states. Every entry links to its primary source.

New this period (29)

• Woodbury, Minnesota, Draft interim ordinance: Moratorium on data centers and other high volume public infrastructure users. Proposed, Sep 23, 2026. Would bar data centers, and any use that would rank among the city’s top users of water or sanitary sewer by annual consumption, for one year while staff study regulation. Source
• Manatee County, Florida, Ordinance 26-42: Temporary moratorium on data center applications. Approved at first hearing, Sep 22, 2026. Bars applications for one year from large-load customers or facilities with substantial electrical, water, wastewater or other utility demands, including data centers; the county says it protects Florida’s water resources from data center consumption. Source
• North Mankato, Minnesota, Data center moratorium ordinance: Moratorium triggered by water volume. Enacted, Sep 21, 2026. Imposes a 12-month moratorium, renewable for one more year, on data centers that exceed 150,000 square feet or use 50,000 gallons of water per day or more, while the city studies local impacts. Source
• California, SB 887: CEQA: data centers lose categorical exemptions; leadership streamlining tied to recycled water and efficient cooling. Enacted, Sep 21, 2026. Bars CEQA categorical exemptions for data center projects. A data center can be certified for environmental leadership streamlining only if, among other conditions, it uses recycled water and water-efficient technology or waterless cooling systems. Source
• Texas, Governor’s letter to TCEQ: Pause on all TCEQ permits for data center projects. Enacted, Sep 21, 2026. Directs TCEQ to pause issuing all permits related to data center projects until ERCOT completes its data center review, so that ERCOT and TWDB water use findings inform permitting. TCEQ must report its compliance to the Governor by October 19, 2026. Source
• Virginia, Executive Order 22 (2026): Cooling water scarcity areas and Data Center Accountability Framework. Enacted, Sep 18, 2026. Directs DEQ to expedite regulations setting criteria for cooling water scarcity areas, where evaporating water for cooling could reduce water available for other uses, and designates the Eastern Virginia Groundwater Management Area as one. DEQ must give the Governor a timeline, workplan and stakeholder plan for the rule within 180 days, and a local toolkit covering water use and wastewater review is due within 120 days. Source
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Proposed moratorium ordinance: One-year pause on data center applications. Proposed, Sep 17, 2026. Would stop city processing of data center applications for one year or until permanent zoning rules are adopted, citing demands on energy and water infrastructure. Source
• Nevada, Executive Order 2026-005: Nevada Standard for Responsible Data Center Development. Enacted, Sep 17, 2026. Data center developers seeking a partial tax abatement from GOED must sign a Nevada Community Support Commitment that, at a minimum, requires the facility to meet the water standard for its location. GOED must publish the standard terms by November 6, 2026, in consultation with the State Engineer and the PUCN. Source
• United States, H.R. 10465: Public Lands Accountability Act. Proposed, Sep 16, 2026. Would require the Bureau of Land Management to consider a project’s impact on regional water supply before authorizing a hyperscale data center on public lands, bar categorical exclusions for such projects, and require a separate environmental review with public involvement when a right-of-way is changed to allow a data center. Source
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mayoral executive order: Data center task force. Enacted, Sep 16, 2026. Creates a task force to study data center impacts on energy, water use, public health, neighborhoods and city costs and recommend regulatory changes. Source
• Harmony, Minnesota, Draft data center ordinance (sixth draft): Closed-loop cooling and a monthly water cap. Proposed, Sep 16, 2026. Would require closed-loop cooling, cap cooling water at 60,000 gallons per month unless the city grants special approval, limit water use to startup and maintenance, and bar nondisclosure agreements. Source
• Montgomery County, Tennessee, Proposed zoning update: Resource plan for data centers. Proposed, Sep 16, 2026. Would require data centers to submit a resource plan for electric, water and sewer service for Board of Zoning Appeals approval before Planning Commission review, limit them to M-1 and M-2 zones, and bar passing infrastructure costs to utility ratepayers. Source
• Columbus, Ohio, Proposed rate ordinance: Water rates for high-load, high-volume users. Proposed, Sep 16, 2026. Would direct Columbus Water and Power to develop new water rates, charges or fees for high-load, high-volume water users including data centers; companion proposals would require a water conservation plan for data centers and other large developments. Source
• Raleigh, North Carolina, Proposed six-month moratorium: Pause on new data centers. Proposed, Sep 16, 2026. Would pause new data center development for six months to study land, electricity and water demands. Source
• Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Sustainability Advisory Committee recommendations: Data center standards sent to City Council. Proposed, Sep 16, 2026. Recommends supplemental standards requiring data centers to use the lowest amount of water allowable for cooling as technology advances, along with water use, noise, light and air standards. Source
• Leon County, Florida, Proposed 18-month moratorium: Pause on large-load data center applications. Proposed, Sep 15, 2026. Would pause large-scale data center applications for 18 months while rules on water consumption, electricity demand and utility costs are drafted. Source
• San Francisco, California, Proposed interim moratorium ordinance: Pause on new data center approvals. Proposed, Sep 15, 2026. Would pause city approvals of new data centers while the city writes rules addressing water use, energy demand, pollution and noise. Source
• North Little Rock, Arkansas, Zoning amendment: Data center campus conditional use rules. Enacted, Sep 14, 2026. Data center campuses must not create additional stress on Central Arkansas Water or North Little Rock Electric that could harm existing customers; the city attorney said the water utility would have to affirm it can serve a facility without affecting the rest of its customers. Source
• Lima, Ohio, 18-month moratorium: Pause on new data centers. Enacted, Sep 14, 2026. Pauses new data center projects for 18 months while city departments evaluate siting, water capacity and electric demand; the utilities director said residential water needs remain the priority. Source
• Woodburn, Oregon, Moratorium resolution: 120-day data center moratorium. Enacted, Sep 14, 2026. Stops acceptance and review of data center applications for at least 120 days while the city evaluates peak water demand and wastewater discharge along with power, cost and noise issues. Source
• Texas, Governor’s letter to TWDB: Enforce water use survey reporting against data centers. Enacted, Sep 14, 2026. Directs the Texas Water Development Board to compel major water users, including data centers, to complete the water use survey required by Texas Water Code 16.012(m), refer violations to county or district attorneys and notify TCEQ, since nonfilers are ineligible for Chapter 11 water permits. TWDB must also seek water consumption, supply source and cooling technology data through the ERCOT data center audit and report its enforcement progress to the Governor within 30 days. Source
• New Jersey, A 5396: Requires data centers to submit water supply emergency contingency plan to DEP.. Proposed, Sep 10, 2026. As introduced, would require each owner or operator of a data center with a peak electrical load of at least 25 MW to submit, within 12 months of enactment, a water supply emergency contingency plan for droughts, shortages, and other water supply disruptions to DEP and the host municipality, covering alternative water sources, water-efficient and closed-loop cooling, and rainwater capture. DEP would have to publish each plan on its website within 180 days of receipt. Source
• New Jersey, A 5397: Requires data centers to submit construction phase water usage plan to DEP.. Proposed, Sep 10, 2026. As introduced, would require an owner or operator of a data center with a peak electrical load of at least 25 MW that applies for local development approval to submit at the same time a construction phase water usage plan to DEP and the municipality, giving water sources, estimated total consumption and withdrawal, construction duration, and impacts on local drinking water supply and quality. DEP may comment within 60 days and must publish the plan and its comments within 180 days. Source
• Lubbock, Texas, Proposed development code amendments: Large data center water and cooling rules. Proposed, Sep 10, 2026. Would require closed-loop, air or dry cooling or similar technology that minimizes continuous water use, and a water reservation fee for developers needing 100,000 gallons per day or more. Source
• Pennsylvania, HB 2760: An Act providing for the protection of water supplies by requiring commercial data centers to restore or replace a polluted or diminutive water supply; and impo. Proposed, Sep 9, 2026. As introduced, would require a commercial data center (peak demand of 25 MW or more) that pollutes or diminishes a public or private water supply to restore or replace it, with DEP investigating complaints within 10 days and ruling within 45 days. It creates a rebuttable presumption of data center responsibility for pollution of water supplies within 1,000 feet during construction or operation, requires temporary water supply in that case, and directs DEP to set up a toll-free contamination hotline and publish confirmed cases. Source
• United States, H.R. 10321: Responsible Data Center Siting Act of 2026. Proposed, Sep 8, 2026. Directs the Secretary of Energy to set best practices for siting data centers that consider the impacts of a data center’s water use, including on water availability to local residents and the surrounding environment, and impacts on water quality. Source
• Levy County, Florida, Ordinance 2026-05: Temporary moratorium on data center facilities. Enacted, Sep 8, 2026. Halts data center applications, permits and rezonings in unincorporated Levy County from Oct 1, 2026 through Sep 30, 2027 and directs staff to study water supply, groundwater and Floridan Aquifer impacts, cooling systems, wastewater, stormwater, water conservation and drought conditions. Source
• Foley, Alabama, Six-month moratorium: Pause on data centers, cryptocurrency mining and server farms. Enacted, Sep 8, 2026. Pauses data center applications for six months while the city updates ordinances and technical manuals to address water use, air pollution and noise. Source
• Massachusetts, Executive Order 658: Permits for data centers over 25 MW conditioned on water standards. Enacted, Sep 8, 2026. MassDEP, EFSB, MEPA and other agencies may not issue permits for data centers above 25 MW peak demand unless the applicant conforms with the June 25, 2026 Statement of Expectations, including its water use provisions, and files a community benefits agreement. MassDEP must develop protocols requiring such projects to protect water quality and quantity, and applicants must attest they will file annual disclosures under EEA guidance. Source

Newly located from earlier periods (47)

Added to the tracker this week, adopted or introduced earlier. These are not this week’s activity.

• Michigan, HB 6265: Businesses: other; water and electricity usage reporting requirements for data centers; provide for. Creates new act.. Proposed, Aug 27, 2026. Source
• Floyd County, Georgia, Data center ordinance: Zoning and development standards for data centers. Enacted, Aug 25, 2026. Source
• United States, H.R. 10139: Ratepayer Bill of Rights Act of 2026. Proposed, Aug 24, 2026. Source
• Pennsylvania, Executive Order 2026-05: DEP permit review for data centers over 25 MW conditioned on water authorizations. Enacted, Aug 18, 2026. Source
• United States, H.R. 10041: Smart Data Center Policy Act. Proposed, Aug 3, 2026. Source
• Texas, Governor’s directive to PUCT and ERCOT: Data center audit covering water use and cooling. Enacted, Aug 3, 2026. Source
• Nebraska, Executive Order 26-17: Data center incentive suspension and DWEE water task force. Enacted, Jul 21, 2026. Source
• Pennsylvania, SB 146 (Act 21 of 2026): Data center energy and water reporting (Fiscal Code Article XVIII-B). Enacted, Jul 12, 2026. Source
• Michigan, HB 6138: Businesses: other; data center water usage requirements; provide for. Creates new act.. Proposed, Jun 30, 2026. Source
• New Jersey, A 5294: “Responsible Data Center Development and Resource Protection Act”; establishes Statewide framework concerning siting, land use approval, energy sourcing, water . Proposed, Jun 18, 2026. Source
• Michigan, SB 1046: Consumptive-use permits; public reporting of data center water use. Proposed, Jun 18, 2026. Source
• New Jersey, S 4400: Requires DEP to conduct study of short and long term effects of water use by large-scale data centers.. Proposed, Jun 4, 2026. Source
• North Carolina, SB 730: Ratepayer Protection Act: DEQ water use standards banning evaporative cooling. Proposed, Jun 3, 2026. Source
• New York, S 10487: Enacts the “data center water stewardship and reuse act”. Proposed, May 15, 2026. Source
• Pennsylvania, HB2515: Providing for commercial data center transparency regarding energy use, water use and noise pollution; imposing duties on the Department of Environmental Protec. Proposed, May 13, 2026. Source
• Pennsylvania, HB 2246: An Act amending Title 27 (Environmental Resources) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in water resources planning, further providing for State water pla. Proposed, May 1, 2026. Source
• Louisiana, HB 1206: WATER/DRINKING WATER: Provides relative to permitting and reporting of water usage at data centers. Failed, Apr 28, 2026. Source
• Pennsylvania, HB 2150: An Act providing for annual reporting of energy consumption and water consumption by data centers; and imposing a penalty.. Proposed, Apr 23, 2026. Source
• Minnesota, HF4990: Criteria for preapplication evaluations of water appropriations for certain data centers modified, data centers’ electricity sales exempted in calculating a uti. Failed, Apr 16, 2026. Source
• Apex, North Carolina, One-year moratorium: Moratorium following a withdrawn campus application. Enacted, Apr 14, 2026. Source
• Virginia, HB 496: Certain data from water users; water use consumption for domestic, etc., purposes, data centers.. Enacted, Apr 13, 2026. Source
• Minnesota, HF 2928: Preapplication filings for large water appropriation projects required, permit application information for large water appropriation projects added, level of en. Failed, Apr 9, 2026. Source
• Mississippi, SB3410: City of Brandon and West Rankin Utility Authority; authorize to enter agreements w/data center for water & wastewater infrastructure.. Enacted, Apr 8, 2026. Source
• Wisconsin, AB722: Large energy customer fees; electric utility very large customer class; a renewable resource tariff; building requirements for data centers; water usage by larg. Failed, Apr 6, 2026. Source
• Idaho, H 895: DATA CENTERS, Adds to existing law to establish limitations on consumptive use of water for cooling certain data centers.. Enacted, Apr 2, 2026. Source
• Ohio, HB 784: Require data center water consumption reports. Proposed, Mar 25, 2026. Source
• Ohio, SB 378: Enact the Responsible Water Use by Data Centers Act. Proposed, Mar 25, 2026. Source
• Tennessee, SB 2112: Utilities, Utility Districts - As introduced, requires certain data centers to register with the department of revenue; requires fuel suppliers, and electric an. Failed, Mar 24, 2026. Source
• Wisconsin, SB 729: Large energy customer fees; very large customer class; building requirements. Failed, Mar 23, 2026. Source
• New Jersey, A3966: Requires DEP to conduct study of short and long term effects of water use by large-scale data centers.. Proposed, Mar 16, 2026. Source
• New Jersey, A4696: Requires owner or operator of data center to submit water and energy usage report to BPU.. Proposed, Mar 16, 2026. Source
• Minnesota, HF4153: Criteria for preapplication evaluations of water appropriations for data centers modified, data centers’ electricity sales exempted in calculating a utility’s s. Failed, Mar 12, 2026. Source
• Iowa, HF 2690: A bill for an act relating to water and energy use for data centers, including reporting and tariff requirements, and including effective date provisions.. Failed, Mar 12, 2026. Source
• Virginia, HB 589: Data centers; certain data from water users, water use consumption.. Failed, Feb 18, 2026. Source
• West Virginia, HB 5590: Create a limited and predictable water-quantity review framework for High Impact Data Centers (HIDCs) in West Virginia.. Failed, Feb 16, 2026. Source
• Oklahoma, HB 3394: Hyperscale data centers; Oklahoma Hyperscale Data Center Directory Act; Oklahoma Corporation Commission; directory; electrical utilities; water providers; effec. Failed, Feb 12, 2026. Source
• New Jersey, S2274: Requires owner or operator of data center to submit water and energy usage report to BPU.. Proposed, Jan 13, 2026. Source
• South Carolina, S0724: Commercial Data Center Water Usage Report. Failed, Jan 13, 2026. Source
• Iowa, HF 2001: A bill for an act relating to water efficiency of data centers, including requirements for water-efficient cooling technologies and encouragement for the use of. Failed, Jan 13, 2026. Source
• New Jersey, S 1213: Establishes NJ Water Data Center at public institution of higher education; appropriates $1 million.. Proposed, Jan 13, 2026. Source
• Tennessee, SB 1600: Utilities, Utility Districts - As introduced, requires certain data centers to register with the Tennessee public utilities commission; requires electric and wa. Failed, Jan 13, 2026. Source
• Indiana, HB1043: Data center water regulation.. Failed, Jan 8, 2026. Source
• New Jersey, S 4827: Requires data center owners and operators to submit semi-annual water and energy usage reports to BPU.. Failed, Nov 6, 2025. Source
• New Jersey, A 5548: Requires owner or operator of data center to submit water and energy usage report to BPU.. Failed, Jun 30, 2025. Source
• New Jersey, A 5892: Requires DEP to conduct study of short and long term effects of water use by large-scale data centers.. Failed, Jun 27, 2025. Source
• Louisiana, HCR 61: WATER/RESOURCES: Creates a special task force to study the interagency consultation process for data centers to ensure more complete natural resource planning a. Failed, Jun 9, 2025. Source
• Arkansas, SB 10: TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS DATA CENTERS ACT OF 2023; AND TO REGULATE THE IMPACT ON WATER USAGE AND THE ELECTRIC GRID BY BLOCKCHAIN NETWORKS AND DIGITAL ASSET MINING.. Failed, May 5, 2025. Source

Status changes (4)

• California, AB 1577: Passed legislature to Enacted. Source
• Kansas, SB 400: Proposed to Failed. Source
• California, AB 2619: Passed legislature to Enacted. Source
• California, AB 2469: Passed legislature to Enacted. Source

New published water figures (32, in 15 states)

Each figure carries its own basis, period, scope and source. Figures on different bases are never compared or summed, and a permit limit, allowance or projection is listed as evidence rather than drawn as a measured bar.

• AL: 191.0 million gal (Withdrawal, 2025). Named facility: Google Jackson County. Source
• AL: 173.6 million gal (Consumption, 2025). Named facility: Google Jackson County. Source
• AZ: 19.4 (Mesa) + 0.5 (Phoenix) million gal (Withdrawal, 2025). Named facilities: Google Mesa, Phoenix. Source
• AZ: 9.7 (Mesa) + 0.1 (Phoenix) million gal (Consumption, 2025). Named facilities: Google Mesa, Phoenix. Source
• AZ: 600 million gal/yr (1,841 acre-feet) implied (Use, implied by a revenue projection, 2026 (budget proposal)). Statewide, all Arizona data centers. Source
• GA: 440.6 million gal (Withdrawal, 2025). Named facility: Google Douglas County. Source
• GA: 367.1 million gal (Consumption, 2025). Named facility: Google Douglas County. Source
• IA: 1,746.4 million gal (Withdrawal, 2025). Named facility: Google Council Bluffs. Source
• IA: 1,346.0 million gal (Consumption, 2025). Named facility: Google Council Bluffs. Source
• IN: 62.2 million gal (Withdrawal, 2025). Named facility: Google New Haven. Source
• IN: 37.8 million gal (Consumption, 2025). Named facility: Google New Haven. Source
• NC: 378.3 million gal (Withdrawal, 2025). Named facility: Google Lenoir. Source
• NC: 344.3 million gal (Consumption, 2025). Named facility: Google Lenoir. Source
• NE: 677.8 (Papillion) + 241.8 (Omaha) million gal (Withdrawal, 2025). Named facilities: Google Papillion, Omaha. Source
• NE: 548.2 (Papillion) + 183.9 (Omaha) million gal (Consumption, 2025). Named facilities: Google Papillion, Omaha. Source
• NV: 401.7 (Henderson) + 66.7 (Storey County) million gal (Withdrawal, 2025). Named facilities: Google Henderson, Storey County. Source
• NV: 239.4 (Henderson) + 6.7 (Storey County) million gal (Consumption, 2025). Named facilities: Google Henderson, Storey County. Source
• OH: 1,008.1 (New Albany) + 460.8 (Lockbourne) + 307.1 (Lancaster) million gal (Withdrawal, 2025). Named facilities: Google New Albany, Lockbourne, Lancaster. Source
• OH: 835.7 (New Albany) + 359.5 (Lockbourne) + 135.8 (Lancaster) million gal (Consumption, 2025). Named facilities: Google New Albany, Lockbourne, Lancaster. Source
• OK: 1,396.7 million gal (Withdrawal, 2025). Named facility: Google Mayes County. Source
• OK: 1,081.4 million gal (Consumption, 2025). Named facility: Google Mayes County. Source
• OR: 654.3 million gal (Withdrawal, 2025). Named facility: Google The Dalles. Source
• OR: 469.0 million gal (Consumption, 2025). Named facility: Google The Dalles. Source
• SC: 988.5 million gal (Withdrawal, 2025). Named facility: Google Berkeley County. Source
• SC: 901.7 million gal (Consumption, 2025). Named facility: Google Berkeley County. Source
• TN: 499.5 million gal (Withdrawal, 2025). Named facility: Google Montgomery County. Source
• TN: 424.7 million gal (Consumption, 2025). Named facility: Google Montgomery County. Source
• TX: 263.6 (Midlothian) + 67.0 (Red Oak) + 2.6 (Wilmer) + 0.4 (Pflugerville) million gal (Withdrawal, 2025). Named facilities: Google Midlothian, Red Oak, Wilmer, Pflugerville. Source
• TX: 220.2 (Midlothian) + 50.4 (Red Oak) + 0.3 (Wilmer) + 0.1 (Pflugerville) million gal (Consumption, 2025). Named facilities: Google Midlothian, Red Oak, Wilmer, Pflugerville. Source
• TX: >300 million gal/yr (Use (self-reported to TWDB water use survey), 2025 survey). Named facility: Bitdeer, Rockdale (cryptocurrency mining data center). Source
• VA: 76.5 (Ashburn) + 359.6 (Bristow) + 238.1 (Leesburg) + 258.4 (Sterling) million gal (Withdrawal, 2025). Named facilities: Google Ashburn, Bristow, Leesburg, Sterling. Source
• VA: 53.2 (Ashburn) + 267.6 (Bristow) + 190.7 (Leesburg) + 199.8 (Sterling) million gal (Consumption, 2025). Named facilities: Google Ashburn, Bristow, Leesburg, Sterling. Source

The standing position

• 8 states have a published statewide or regional measured aggregate and draw a bar: AZ, CA, NE, NV, OH, TX, VA, WY.
• 23 states have published figures at facility or instrument level only, with no state total.
• 19 states have no measured data center water volume published by anyone.

That ratio is the tracker’s central finding. The disclosure bills it follows exist because this figure is, almost everywhere, not collected.

The full tracker, with every state’s file, the federal accordion, and all sources, is at savrn.com/data-center-water-tracker. All citations are on the sources page.