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Google data centers gobbled 550 million gallons of water in The Dalles last year, representing a staggering 40% of all the water consumed in the Oregon city.
Predictions indicate that the 26% increase in water consumption will continue to rise in future years.
Tidings Data Snapshot
Google's Water Use In The Dalles Since 2012Sources: OPB reporting using City of The Dalles water recordsDailyTidings.com
While Oregon has welcomed Google and other data centers to the state by offering attractive tax packages and other incentives, even Governor Tina Kotek recently admitted that their impact on resources and energy supplies is no longer sustainable.
The Arrival of Data Centers Was a Boon for Small Towns and Rural Counties
The advent of data centers was a boon for several small towns and rural counties in Oregon, providing job opportunities and improving local economies.
In The Dalles, Google invested in the local water infrastructure, expanding the utility’s present storage system and pledging millions to build an expanded storage dam in the foothills above the city.
Water Conservationists are Skeptical
However, water conservationists are skeptical. They believe that Google’s water consumption could seriously impact the Dog River, supplier of the bulk of the city’s water. They are also concerned about the Dog River’s salmon and steelhead populations, which are under threat.
| Pressure point | Figure | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dog River dependence | About 80% to 85% of city supply | Most city water comes from one watershed |
| Google infrastructure deal | $28.5 million | Paid for wells, reservoirs, pump station, sewer lift station |
| ASR transfer | 100M plus gallons yearly | Google says the system adds public water capacity |
| Water revenue need | 7.3% next year | The city says more increases are likely |
| Without SIP funding | 23% to 27% | That is the rate jump the city says it would otherwise need |
| Local fish stress | Steelhead and coho returns generally below 2% | ODFW says weak returns already affect the watershed |
Google’s presence in Wasco County began 20 years ago when it built its first major data center in The Dalles. At that stage, the city was a somewhat rundown industrial and agricultural town. It has 16,000 residents.
Google’s arrival meant more cash and more jobs from one of the US.’s world-renowned companies.
Today, Google contributes $13 million in taxes and has several large data centers dotted along the Columbia River in The Dalles, with another data center under construction.
Water Reduces the Use of Electricity and Operating Costs
By using water to cool high-wattage computers, data centers consume less electricity, reducing operating costs.
When Google initially announced its plans to expand its operations in Wasco County about five years ago, it agreed to pay $29 million to upgrade the water storage system in The Dalles by 50%. This would make its use of additional water more sustainable.
The city’s 2024 water master plan forecasts that businesses in The Dalles will average 5.7 million gallons daily by 2034. This is more than double the water consumed in 2024.
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