Board adopts utility fee changes and bars use of county potable water for permanent data-center cooling

The Caroline County Board of Supervisors voted March 10 to adopt a package of changes to the county’s utilities code that includes new fees and a prohibition on using public potable water for permanent industrial cooling, such as at data centers. The motion to adopt items 1–5 in the advertised schedule and to add the new Chapter 1.12, Section 35, was made by Supervisor Thomas and seconded by Supervisor Long; the board approved the measure by voice vote.

Staff presented a series of amendments including a fire-protection availability fee tied to meter size, a bulk-water application and monthly permit fee, an increase to the Carolina Pines capital-reserve monthly charge (from $20 to $25.07 with scheduled escalators), a flat plan-review fee pegged to 3% of estimated construction cost, and a codified $50 return-check fee consistent with state law. Director of Public Utilities Joe Schiebel explained the director would also have authority to limit high-volume usage that could harm the system and said the ordinance explicitly "provides that public potable water shall not be used for data centers or similar facilities for permanent cooling purposes." Conservation and watershed groups — including Friends of the Rappahannock and American Rivers — urged adoption, citing regional supply pressure and stewardship of local water resources.

The ordinance also includes operational measures staff said are aimed at protecting system reliability and improving customer notice during planned maintenance. The board directed staff to finalize implementation details and publish the updated fee schedule.