Attorney General Ken Paxton Targets 156 Data Centers Over Missing Water Usage Reports

The water battle continues in Texas as officials try to find out exactly how much water data centers plan to use.

Texas Attorney General Demands Water Consumption Data from 156 Data Centers

The Texas Attorney General’s Office has launched a statewide inquiry into the water consumption habits of data centers. Official notices have been dispatched to 156 data center developments after state officials noted a lack of compliance with mandatory environmental reporting. The enforcement action follows a failure by these facilities to complete the Texas Water Development Board’s official water use survey.

State Investigation Targets Compliance and Resource Protection

Attorney General Ken Paxton stated that the state is actively investigating facility operators to verify that their water usage remains compliant with state regulations and does not endanger surrounding communities. "Data center developers must follow the law and respect the Texans and communities affected by their operations," Paxton emphasized. "I am actively investigating data centers across Texas to make sure that Texans and our natural resources are protected."

Counties Included in the Statewide Inquiry

The state's inquiry spans major metropolitan hubs, industrial corridors, and rural communities across Texas. Operators receiving official notices are located across 32 distinct counties:

Major Metro & Urban Hubs: Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton, Travis, Bexar, Harris, Montgomery, Waller, and Williamson.

Central & East Texas: McLennan, Brazos, Nacogdoches, and Victoria.

West Texas & Permian Basin: Midland, Ector, Tom Green, Glasscock, Pecos, Ward, and Lubbock.

Panhandle Region: Potter, Randall, Wichita, and Sherman.

South Texas & Border Region: El Paso, Cameron, Hidalgo, Nueces, Maverick, and Webb.

Recipients must provide their most recent water consumption metrics directly to state regulators to resolve the ongoing investigation.