Texas Attorney General Sends 156 Texas Data Centers Letters Over Water Use

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has sent letters to 156 data center developments across the state demanding accurate, up-to-date water-use information as his office investigates compliance with Texas reporting requirements.

The letters are part of an investigation announced in September into hundreds of data center developments, including facilities that have not responded to the Texas Water Development Board's (TWDB) water-use survey. Paxton's office said the effort is intended to ensure developers comply with state law and protect Texas communities and natural resources.

"Data center developers must follow the law and respect the Texans and communities affected by their operations," said AG Paxton. "I am actively investigating data centers across Texas to make sure that Texas and our natural resources are protected."

The letters were sent to developments in 32 counties, including Harris, Montgomery, Travis, Williamson, Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar, Collin, Denton, Lubbock, Midland, Nueces, and El Paso.

The attorney general's office has not publicly identified every development that received a letter or announced findings that the recipients violated the law.

The TWDB conducts annual surveys to collect information about water use across Texas. Under Section 16.012 of the Texas Water Code, recipients of the agency's survey are required to submit completed responses. Digital infrastructure facilities that operated during any portion of 2025 and received a 2026 survey must report their water use for that year. Facilities that were not operating in 2025 do not need to report operational water use for that year, but should contact the agency to update their status.

The investigation comes as Texas continues attracting data center projects to support cloud computing and artificial intelligence. These facilities can require substantial electricity and water resources, making accurate usage data important for long-term infrastructure planning.