Virginia Water Use Drops as Manufacturing Declines Despite Data Center Growth
By Billy Briefman · August 24, 2026 · 2 min read read
Category: Technology
Virginia Water Use Declines Despite Rising Data Center Consumption Originally reported by Cardinal News. Cardinal News Total water consumption across VA trended downward in recent years even as...
Virginia Water Use Declines Despite Rising Data Center Consumption
Originally reported by Cardinal News. Cardinal News
Total water consumption across VA trended downward in recent years even as the rapidly expanding data center industry increased its reliance on state water resources, according to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
Data from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) shows a complex shift in how the commonwealth manages its liquid assets. While the sheer volume of data centers in Northern Virginia and growing hubs in the Richmond region draw significant cooling water, other sectors reduced their footprint enough to offset those gains, according to the DEQ report.
Shifting Demands in the Commonwealth
The energy sector and manufacturing industries historically drove water usage in VA, but modernization and plant closures changed that dynamic. According to the DEQ, these traditional industrial sectors saw a marked decrease in withdrawals, which allowed the total water usage in the state to drop despite the arrival of new, thirsty technologies.
Data centers require millions of gallons of water to cool the servers that power the internet. While these facilities represent a growing percentage of the commercial water draw in VA, they still account for a smaller fraction of total use compared to agriculture and public water systems, according to the agency's findings.
The Impact of Data Center Growth
The concentration of these facilities creates localized pressure on water infrastructure. In areas like Loudoun County and Prince William County, data centers became primary consumers. The DEQ report indicates that while the statewide trend remains downward, local officials must monitor specific watersheds where data center density is highest.
Advocacy groups and environmental researchers continue to scrutinize these numbers. The report notes that as VA continues to court the tech industry, the efficiency of cooling systems will determine if the state can maintain its current downward trend in total water consumption.
This article is based on reporting originally published by Cardinal News. Channel RVA provides this coverage with additional local context for the Richmond community.