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SB 521

Data centers; rainwater harvesting systems.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Creigh Deeds

Virginia requires data centers to install rainwater harvesting systems to reduce water consumption from industrial cooling operations.

Continued to next session in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (12-Y 2-N)
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Bill Summary · SB 521

Legislative bill overview

SB 521 requires data centers in Virginia to implement rainwater harvesting systems to reduce their water consumption and environmental impact. The bill, sponsored by Senator Creigh Deeds, establishes standards for capturing and utilizing rainwater at data center facilities, addressing the significant water demands of the growing data center industry in the state.

Why is this important

Data centers consume enormous quantities of water for cooling operations, and Virginia hosts a major concentration of them in Northern Virginia near Washington, D.C. Mandating rainwater harvesting could reduce strain on local water supplies, lower operational costs for facilities, and position Virginia as a leader in sustainable infrastructure—though implementation costs may be substantial for existing facilities.

Potential points of contention

  • Compliance costs: Retrofitting existing data centers with rainwater harvesting systems could be expensive, potentially pushing facilities to relocate to states with less stringent requirements
  • Technical feasibility: Rainwater harvesting may be insufficient to meet all cooling needs in Virginia's climate, raising questions about realistic water reduction percentages and whether complementary measures are required
  • Competitive disadvantage: Stricter Virginia requirements could make the state less attractive for new data center investment compared to neighboring states without similar mandates

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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