As lawmakers across the state address community concerns about data centers\u2019 water usage, the city of Austin is looking to create accountability through a July 23 adopted resolution to track large-volume usage and incentivize conservation.<\/p>\n
Only 17% of data centers surveyed in 2025 reported their projected water usage, according to data presented at a June legislative hearing<\/a>. In recent months, a number of elected officials, including Gov. Greg Abbott, have called for greater restrictions on data center development.<\/p>\n The city\u2019s resolution comes as the city of San Marcos<\/a> banned data centers on June 16 through zoning law and local moratoriums. Now, a growing number<\/a> of Texas cities and counties<\/a> are discussing similar legislation.<\/p>\n On Monday, Abbott directed<\/a> the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to conduct an audit and verify that all data center projects in the state follow the agencies\u2019 requirements. According to the governor\u2019s press release, the agencies must complete their audit before approving a data center development, effectively pausing new developments.<\/p>\n How will the resolution address water usage?<\/p>\n While the resolution won\u2019t immediately restrict developers using large amounts of water, it sets the groundwork for developing greater restrictions, according to the resolution.\u00a0<\/p>\n The city manager will present recommendations to the Climate, Water, Environment and Parks Committee by Dec. 9 to solidify a new large-volume water customer application process, conservation plans and reclaimed water requirements, according to the resolution.<\/p>\n \u201cWater is life,\u201d the city wrote in the resolution. \u201cAustin Water is currently pursuing generational capital investments in several strategies, including desalination, aquifer storage, and wastewater treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n District 9 Council Member Zohaib \u201cZo\u201d Qadri, who represents UT and West Campus, stated the resolution will prioritize \u201cincreasing accountability\u201d on water use and \u201censuring future growth\u201d does not affect residents.<\/p>\n Could the resolution impact the University?\u00a0<\/p>\n The resolution could also impact the University, which was one of Austin Water\u2019s three highest-use customers from 2021 to 2025, according to a May city Climate, Water, Environment, and Parks Committee presentation<\/a>.<\/p>\n In 2025 alone, the city supplied around 860,000 gallons of water, according to the committee presentation. A University spokesperson wrote in an email that Austin Water supports 80% of the University\u2019s potable water needs. A future on-site wastewater reclamation system called UT WaterHub<\/a> should cut demand in half.<\/p>\n City responds to community concerns around data centers<\/p>\n At the meeting, District 7 Council Member Mike Siegel said the resolution addresses growing concern about the role of data centers and big industry on water supply in Central Texas, including the criticized Dog\u2019s Head development<\/a>. Some community members fear the site will become a data center site, as the developer did not rule them out<\/a>.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n