弗吉尼亚州发布了一份长期延迟的研究报告，检视该州东部地区地下水供应面临的威胁及数据中心的潜在影响[1]。报告指出，这一关键含水层因人口增长和工业用水而面临衰退风险[1]。
报告发现，"地下水供应受限，当前预测表明近期可用性下降"[1]。地下水提取在约15年前因造纸厂关闭后大幅下降，但这一下降趋势最近已停滞，预计含水层水位将重新开始下降[1]。报告特别指出，"在当前条件下，具有蒸发冷却技术的数据中心不太可能在该地区任何地方找到可靠、充足的地下水供应"[1]。
截至报告发布时，全州有371个数据中心在运营，另有438个在规划中[1]。面对这些用水压力，报告建议加强监管规定，包括授予监管机构更多权力拒绝工业用水许可、要求替代水源使用和严格限制超度用水[1]。
州参议员理查德·斯图尔特对供水状况表示担忧，称"我担心我们的公民能否获得饮用水，我担心我们的海产业因为他们需要清洁水"[1]。
弗吉尼亚州应于1月交付该报告，但州政府延迟发布超过6个月[1]。弗吉尼亚州1973年颁布首项地下水法律，1992年进行了加强[1]。
Virginia has released a long-delayed study examining groundwater supplies in the state's eastern region and the potential impact of data centers on this critical resource. [1] The report warns that the aquifer faces depletion risks driven by population growth and industrial water consumption. [1]
The study identifies groundwater availability as constrained, with current projections indicating declining supply in the near term. [1] It recommends strengthening regulatory frameworks to give authorities greater power to deny industrial water permits, mandate alternative water sources, and enforce stricter limits on excessive extraction. [1]
The report found that under current conditions, data centers equipped with evaporative cooling technology are unlikely to secure reliable and adequate groundwater supplies anywhere in the region. [1] Virginia currently operates 371 data centers with another 438 in planning stages. [1]
Groundwater extraction declined significantly approximately 15 years ago following the closure of paper mills, but this downward trend has stalled recently, with aquifer water levels expected to resume declining. [1]
State Senator Richard Stuart expressed concern about the implications, stating: "I worry whether our citizens will have access to drinking water, I worry about our seafood industry because they need clean water." [1]
The state was due to deliver the report in January but delayed its release for more than six months. [1] Virginia's groundwater regulations date to 1973, with strengthened provisions added in 1992. [1]