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County says data‑center water use must be proven site‑by‑site; closed‑loop cooling noted
Summary
Smyth County staff told residents that water‑supply suitability for a data center is site‑specific; applicants will need to demonstrate coordination with local water providers or state agencies for wells/withdrawals as part of the special‑use review.
County staff told residents that the draft zoning language does not set a single gallons‑per‑day ceiling for data centers because water availability varies by provider and site. Instead, any applicant proposing significant water use must document coordination with the relevant water provider or, for wells and surface‑water withdrawals, obtain approvals from the Virginia Department of Health or DEQ.
“A future application must work with water provider, or in the case of withdrawal permits or well permits, Virginia Department of Health and or DEQ, and to gain approval and then to submit that as part of our review process,” the staff member said. Staff repeatedly emphasized that capacity is site‑specific — the Town of Marion was cited as having “phenomenal” capacity while nearby Rye Valley may have none.
Residents raised closed‑loop cooling as an alternative that would reduce ongoing water needs; staff acknowledged such technologies and said the review would consider cooling method as part of site analysis.
