Last Updated 5/28/2026
GOVERNANCE & AUTHORITY
How does TRWD handle requests for water from data centers?
All requests for raw water supplied directly by TRWD, including those related to data centers, are evaluated by TRWD staff following a consistent review process. Requests must be submitted to TRWD in writing using the Raw Water Request Document, and all required information must be provided prior to TRWD beginning a formal evaluation of the request.
TRWD evaluates requests to determine whether TRWD can serve the request while still maintaining water supply reliability for all existing customers, taking into account many considerations, including the basis for the volume requested, system impacts, conservation efforts, and water quality considerations. Data centers must also comply with all state and local permitting requirements.
Has TRWD been approached by any data center companies?
Yes, TRWD has received requests, including completed Raw Water Request Documents. However, these requests have not contained sufficient information to move forward with a technical evaluation. TRWD has asked the requestors to provide additional information and documentation in order for their applications to be considered complete and ready for evaluation.
What is TRWD’s status with any data center projects?
TRWD supplies water to several existing customers (such as the cities of Fort Worth, Mansfield, etc.) that use TRWD water for various purposes, including data center operations. However, TRWD has not entered into any new water supply contracts specifically to serve data center projects, nor has TRWD increased contract volumes for existing customers based on requests specifically made to serve data centers.
If a data center request meets TRWD’s evaluation criteria, demonstrating adequate justification for volume, conservation efforts, and alignment with regional water planning, TRWD may consider contract negotiations.
Has TRWD signed any NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements) with data center companies?
No. TRWD has not signed any NDAs with any data center company. Our process is transparent and governed by public records laws.
Who ultimately decides whether TRWD will supply water to a data center?
The TRWD Board of Directors makes the final decision on all new raw water supply contracts. Decisions are made at monthly open Board meetings that are broadcast to the public and where the public can attend. Any contract approval will be a matter of public record.
How will residents know if TRWD approves a water permit for a data center?
TRWD does not issue any permits for water use – we enter into contracts to supply water. If a data center request meets TRWD’s evaluation criteria and advances to the contract stage, the contract will be presented to the TRWD Board of Directors at the monthly, open, public Board meeting. The monthly meetings are broadcast and open for public attendance to ensure complete transparency in the decision-making process. All meetings are recorded and archived on our website for viewing anytime: View TRWD Board Meetings
WATER DEMAND & REGIONAL CAPACITY
How much water would a data center use?
Data center water consumption is highly variable and depends on the specific cooling technologies used and operational design. TRWD cannot provide a general answer about how much water a data center would use.
Before TRWD can evaluate any water request, the applicant must provide detailed justification for the volume requested and demonstrate how they plan to conserve and use water as efficiently as possible. To date, the applicant has not provided sufficient justification for the volume being requested, and we cannot proceed with formal evaluation until these critical details are submitted.
Where would the water come from?
TRWD supplies water through a large-scale transmission system comprised of seven lakes, multiple pump stations, and hundreds of miles of large-diameter pipelines serving an 11-county service area. These include Cedar Creek Reservoir, Richland-Chambers Reservoir, and other sources. The specific source for any water request would be determined during TRWD’s technical evaluation process based on system needs, operational constraints, and regional water planning.
Is Cedar Creek Reservoir already under strain? Can it support additional demand?
TRWD has been approached regarding supply from Cedar Creek Reservoir for a proposed data center project. TRWD has not approved this request. Before TRWD can evaluate whether additional volume can be served, the following information is required:
- Adequate justification for the volume they are requesting
- A demonstration of how they plan to conserve water and use it as efficiently as possible
TRWD maintains rigorous regional water planning and forecasting to ensure a reliable water supply for all customers. Part of TRWD’s evaluation process for any new water request is assessing whether the requested volume can be served while maintaining reliability for existing customers. If TRWD determines that a request cannot be met without compromising reliability to existing customers, the request will be denied.
What does TRWD’s regional water planning say about capacity for large industrial users?
TRWD actively plans for water supply to serve our service area and will not enter into new contracts if they do not align with TRWD’s long-range planning efforts. TRWD evaluates all requests on a case-by-case basis to determine if the requested volume can be reliably served.
CONSERVATION
If TRWD asks residents to conserve water, why would it supply millions of gallons to a data center?
TRWD evaluates all requests for water, regardless of use type or the type of entity requesting water. Whether the request is for municipal, agricultural, industrial, mining or data center use, TRWD applies the same rigorous evaluation criteria.
For any data center request, the applicant would have to demonstrate their efforts to conserve and use water as efficiently as possible. Data centers would be subject to rigorous conservation requirements, like other TRWD customers. This means a data center would need to demonstrate advanced water-efficient cooling technologies and operational practices before TRWD could consider approval.
TRWD’s conservation messaging to residents applies universally: all customers, including large industrial users, are expected to use water efficiently.
What conservation standards apply to data centers?
All TRWD customers are required to have a Water Conservation Plan on file with TRWD and effectively implemented within their service area prior to execution of a new or amended raw water contract. All conservation plans must comply with TRWD’s most current Water Conservation and Drought Contingency and Emergency Management Plan.
Data centers seeking water from TRWD would be required to meet these same standards, and potentially stricter ones depending on the facility design and operational requirements.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
What are the environmental impacts of data center cooling discharge?
Data centers typically use water for cooling purposes. The design and impacts vary significantly depending on the cooling technology used (evaporative cooling, closed-loop systems, etc.) and how discharge water is treated.
As part of TRWD’s evaluation process, we assess water quality considerations and ensure any discharge impacts are addressed through appropriate treatment and permitting.
Would a data center impact Cedar Creek Reservoir’s water quality?
Water quality protection is one of the criteria TRWD evaluates as part of its request review process. Any data center project would need to comply with all state and local permitting requirements, which include environmental protection standards. This typically involves Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and local environmental reviews.
TRWD’s evaluation includes assessment of water quality impacts and mitigation measures.
HOW TO STAY INFORMED
TRWD will provide updates through:
- Our website FAQ (this page)
- Monthly board meetings
- Blog posts and e-newsletters
- Social media channels
- Open hall meeting in the Cedar Creek area, coming soon
Last Updated 5/28/2026
