Data Centers in Texas - Water Resources Impacts and Policy Recommendations Webinar

This webinar provided an overview of different technologies and systems employed on data center campuses, the impact of data centers on Texas’s water resources, and offered policy recommendations for managing the impact of this growing sector ahead of the upcoming 90th Texas Legislative Session. The webinar was held on August 7, 2026.

Following the presentations, NCTCOG led a short roundtable session where participants asked questions and engaged with the speakers on this important topic.    

Featured Speakers:

• Dr. Margaret Cook, Vice President Water & Community Resilience, Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) and author of the whitepaper Thirsty Data and the Lone Star State: The Impact of Data Center Growth on Texas’ Water Supply
• Rachel Hames, Policy Director, Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance  

Audience: 
Stakeholders from local governments, economic development districts, water utilities, water districts, water authorities, stormwater, floodplain management, and other interested stakeholders.

Webinar Materials: 

• Presentation
• Recording