Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
As debate continues over Google's proposed data center in Botetourt County, questions about the project's long-term water use remain at the center of the discussion.
One member of the Botetourt County Planning Commission says his own research raises concerns about how the facility could affect the Roanoke Valley's water supply during future droughts.
"Google here in Botetourt County consuming as much water as they're gonna need — well, that's just suicide. Suicide," Planning Commissioner Mark Tyson said.
Tyson said he conducted his own analysis after focusing on what he calls the "depletion rate" of the region's reservoirs.
Read more: wset.com/news/local/questions-over-water-use-continue-as-google-data-center-debate-grows-in-botetourt-county-accountability-your-money-02-august-2026
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As debate continues over Google's proposed data center in Botetourt County, questions about the project's long-term water use remain at the center of the discussion.
One member of the Botetourt County Planning Commission says his own research raises concerns about how the facility could affect the Roanoke Valley's water supply during future droughts.
"Google here in Botetourt County consuming as much water as they're gonna need — well, that's just suicide. Suicide," Planning Commissioner Mark Tyson said.
Tyson said he conducted his own analysis after focusing on what he calls the "depletion rate" of the region's reservoirs.
Read more: wset.com/news/local/questions-over-water-use-continue-as-google-data-center-debate-grows-in-botetourt-county-accountability-your-money-02-august-2026
_______________
Follow WSET on social media:
WSET-TV ABC News 13 on Facebook: facebook.com/ABC13News
WSET-TV ABC News 13 on Twitter: twitter.com/ABC13News
WSET-TV ABC News 13 on Instagram: instagram.com/abc13_wset/?hl=en
WSET-TV ABC News 13 on TikTok: tiktok.com/discover/Abc-13-wset
Subscribe to WSET-TV on YouTube: youtube.com/@wsetabc1373/featured
Watch more top local news stories: wset.com/news/local
For all of the day’s top local and national news, visit wset.com
Watch our live newscasts and other live video at wset.com/watch
Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:
Email us: newsdesk@wset.com
Call the Newsroom: 431.455.5131
WSET is a VA based station and an ABC Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. Sinclair owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to 163 television stations in 77 markets, after pending transactions. Sinclair's television group reaches approximately 38.7% of US television households and includes FOX, ABC, MyTV, CW, CBS, NBC, Univision and Azteca affiliates
#wset #wsettv #wsetabcnews13 #lynchburgnews #breakingnews #lynchburg #trending #localnews #news #datacenter #ai #artificialintelligence #datacenters #water #google
