Would Carvins Cove be the water source for the proposed Data Center?
Carvins Cove is the primary water source for the Botetourt Center at Greenfield, so initially Carvins Cove water would serve this customer. 

Special consideration and study has been given to ensure that water supply from Carvins Cove can support the drinking water, recreational and tourism needs for all users. With financial commitments from Botetourt County and Google, the Authority is conducting long-range water supply studies and exploring options such as additional water sources and water re-use. If the project proceeds, water usage at the site will increase over time as facilities are constructed, which will take a number of years. 

One of the reasons Google was interested in locating in Botetourt is because the superior quality of Carvins Cove water allows them to be far more efficient in how much water they may use. While other sites would only be able to run the water through the cooling process once, Carvins Cove’s water quality allows for it to be used repeatedly, reducing their overall demand on the water supply.

Would recreational use of Carvins Cove be impacted?
No. Visitors will still be able to enjoy recreation at Carvins Cove. The need to preserve the drinking water supply, recreational options, and tourism benefits of Carvins Cove has been shared with Google throughout their site selection process. Google has committed to recreation improvements and investments if needed.

Would there be noticeable change to the reservoir level?
No. Water levels at the Carvins Cove reservoir naturally fluctuate seasonally and are updated daily on the Authority’s reservoir level website.  Google has committed to recreation improvements and investments if needed.

How does Carvins Cove get its water?
Carvins Cove is filled by rainfall into the reservoir and drainage from the reservoir’s 12,672-acre watershed.  Additional water can be added from two underground tunnels that carry overflow water from Tinker and Catawba Creeks.

Why is the reservoir level low in the winter months?
Visitors to Carvins Cove may notice that the reservoir looks low in winter months. Historically, this is normal and what we expect to see based on the seasons. In the winter months, any precipitation that we get in the form of snow or rain is going to run off the watershed and fill the reservoir. In the spring, trees will uptake more water to help with their leaf growth. By the warmer months, we expect the reservoir to refill to full pond. Watch our video here.

Who owns Carvins Cove?
The Authority acquired ownership of the Carvins Cove Reservoir and land up to the 1,200-foot contour when the Western Virginia Water Authority was formed in 2004. The City of Roanoke retained ownership of the balance of the land, making it the second largest municipal owned park based on acreage in the United States.  

Where does Carvins Cove serve?
A large part of the northeastern and northwestern parts of the city, and the majority of the southeastern part of the city, to Reserve Avenue, are served by Carvins Cove. Portions of northern and northeastern Roanoke County are also served by the Carvins Cove water source. Water from Carvins Cove also serves the Botetourt area around Exit 150 to Tinkerview and Greenfield.

How is the drinking water treated?
Carvins Cove Water Treatment Facility has the capacity to treat 24-million gallons of water from the reservoir every day. Annual production averaged 9.48-million gallons per day in 2025. The water is first oxygenated and treated with sodium permanganate to oxidize dissolved organic matter, iron and manganese. Water is aerated to remove unwanted dissolved gases and to oxidize dissolved metals, which reduces any unpleasant tastes and odors. Flash mixing of chemicals is the next step, where ferric sulfate is added to coagulate suspended particles. Water then flows into settling basins where the particles clump together, become heavy and settle to the bottom of the basins. Next, the water is filtered through sand and anthracite and disinfected with chlorine. Fluoride is added to promote strong teeth. Sodium hydroxide is added to adjust the pH and reduce corrosivity, and orthophosphate is added to control corrosion in pipes. See our Water Quality Report for data or view this video to see how water is treated. 

On September 10, 2025, the Authority's Board of Directors authorized execution of two agreements to plan for and implement improved water infrastructure and capacity for the regional utility’s service area. The first agreement, with Botetourt County (County), will enable the Authority to study and develop new water supply sources to meet the growing needs of the County and the surrounding region, with the County funding the majority of this expense. The second agreement, with Google, will enable the Authority to develop new, efficient and sustainable water infrastructure solutions, solely at the company’s expense.

What role does water supply play in data centers?
Data centers house extensive computer equipment that requires cooling.  Water is one method used to cool that equipment. 

How can the Authority ensure the region’s water supply remains stable and protected for residents and the environment?  
This is one of the principal reasons the Western Virginia Water Authority was formed. Managing water on a regional level has many benefits, including system resiliency and the ability to utilize a variety of water sources to serve our customers. Water supply planning is done on a regular basis, and while the next update is not legally due until 2029, staff are working on it now. Maintaining safe, reliable, and dependable water sources is of common interest to the Authority, its member localities, and the communities we serve.

What happens during a drought?
Protection of the environment and our natural resources is foundational to the Authority's operation.  The Authority maintains a Drought Contingency Plan, which is triggered by declining reservoir levels at Carvins Cove during different months of the year. The Authority has not had to implement the drought contingency plan during its 20-year history. Should the plan ever have to be activated, there are three stages of voluntary, mandatory, and emergency measures which apply to all customers.

Google will be subject to the Authority’s Drought Contingency Plan and General Business Rules and Regulations, the same as any other customer of the Authority.

Is the Authority expanding its service area in Botetourt to serve this project?
No. Botetourt County joined the Authority on July 1, 2015 and already receives water and sewer service to much of the county including the Botetourt Center at Greenfield.

Has the Authority considered a new water source for Botetourt County?
Yes. The Authority signed an agreement with Botetourt County in September 2025 to study and develop new water supply sources to meet the growing needs of the County and the surrounding region, with Botetourt County funding the majority of this expense.

Has the Authority studied the impacts of this increase in water demand? 
Yes.  If the project proceeds, water usage at the site will increase over time as facilities are constructed, which will take a number of years.   The Authority has adequate capacity in its existing water sources to supply the region, including this potential project.  The Authority periodically studies the region’s growth projections and assesses potential impacts to water and wastewater infrastructure.  Growth in Botetourt County presents the Authority with a timely opportunity to take a fresh look at the region’s growth and assess potential water supply alternatives. The Authority will consider ways to improve existing water supply storage, improve existing water treatment, and to develop new water supplies from surface or groundwater sources. The Authority will also study water re-use as an option for this project and other non-potable uses in the region.

Google will be bound by the Authority’s generally-applicable rules and regulations, including the General Business Rules and Regulations, Development Rules and Regulations, Industrial Pretreatment Rules and Regulations, Drought Contingency Plan, and state regulations as well as contractual obligations agreed to specifically for the project.

How does the Authority plan for customer expansion?
The Authority has multiple water sources and treatment plants to meet the water demand of the customers in our service area.  One of the strengths of operating as a regional utility is the variety of water sources available to serve our customers. Surface water reservoirs and groundwater, located in different parts of the service area, contribute toward the system’s resiliency.   The two largest sources of water, Carvins Cove and Spring Hollow, are managed together to provide most of the valley’s water supply. Carvins Cove, our largest reservoir, holds 6.4-billion gallons of water while the Spring Hollow reservoir holds 3.2-billion gallons. 

Capital investments over the years have also resulted in the major sources of water for our customers being interconnected through a vast water distribution network of more than 1,300 miles of water lines which provide resiliency and redundancy in water supply.  This ongoing investment in the water distribution network supports new customers, minimizes the leaks and breaks that impact current customers, and enhances fire protection for all.

Can I share my thoughts on water supply planning?
Yes! We encourage our community to be involved in the process. If you have an idea to share, please contact us. Our board meetings are open to the public and are typically held every third Thursday of the month.  

Will customers have to pay for water used by Google?
No.  Like any customer of the Western Virginia Water Authority, Google will pay for the water and wastewater services they use.  All customers are subject to the Rates and Fees schedule published on the Authority's website.   

Google is also paying for studies of select portions of Authority infrastructure including treatment facilities and water supply sources to better inform the Authority so it can meet future water supply needs of all customers in its member jurisdictions.

Will customers have to pay for the infrastructure necessary to deliver water to Google?
No. The Authority signed an agreement with Google in September 2025 to study and develop new, efficient and sustainable water infrastructure solutions, solely at the company's expense. Once completed, these infrastructure upgrades will become part of the Authority’s system which may provide for incidental enhancements to portions of the Authority’s service area in Botetourt County. The costs for these water distribution upgrades will be paid for by Google, and Authority ratepayers will not be subject to higher rates to support this expense.  

How does the Authority set rates?
The Authority sets rates annually during its budgeting process. The Authority has typically favored small routine rate increases on an annual basis instead of larger sporadic rate hikes. Rates are used to pay for the projected costs to operate and maintain the water and sewer system, as well as for capital costs, debt service, and repair and replacement of existing water and sewer systems serving current customers.

As it has done yearly, the Authority adjusted rates on October 1, 2025.  This rate increase has nothing to do with Google.  Like everyone else, the Authority faces budget impacts due to market conditions, inflation, supply chain challenges, labor and health care costs and to continue to support for renewal and replacement of existing infrastructure.  

The Authority was formed in 2004 to meet the water and wastewater needs of all current and future residential and business customers, and that mission is still just as important today.  Through effective management of the valley’s water supply and distribution infrastructure, the Authority has met, and continues to meet, the drinking water needs of our expanding service area while positioning the region for future economic growth. 

How much water will Google use?
Google has stated that this information is proprietary to their company. Our Board of Directors and key staff members have coordinated with the company on their specific water requirements to ensure that our system has the capacity to support this new development when and if it is built and all customers well into the future. 

Does the Authority currently have enough water and system capacity to support this project?
Yes. The Authority has the capacity to meet the needs of this company.  Botetourt County and Google are funding studies on new water supply sources and infrastructure solutions for the future.

Does the Authority decide which customers come to the region?
No.  Development is a role that is managed by each locality.  However, the localities do consult closely with the Authority to make sure that the drinking water and wastewater treatment needs of current customers and new development opportunities can be met.

Will Google's water use data be made public?
The project will be metered, which provides data for billing and allows staff to know and track usage over time.  Disclosure of any customer’s consumption account information is subject to Freedom of Information Act requirements in the Code of Virginia. The Authority publishes a list of its largest principal customers as a part of its annual financial report.  

Will Google use sewer? 
Yes, buildings constructed at Botetourt Center at Greenfield will be connected to the Authority’s sanitary sewer system.   Wastewater goes to the sanitary sewer where it can flow to the Roanoke Regional Water Pollution Control Plant for treatment and discharged to the Roanoke River.   

I have a private well. Will this impact my water?
No. Surface withdrawal and reservoir storage is not related to ground water availability. 

What happens if Google wants to use more water in the future?
The Authority performs and participates in planning activities for itself and alongside our regional partners in order to develop plans for future infrastructure needs. The Authority also participates in locality plan review processes in order to assess any service and reliability issues before new development can proceed. Future increases in water use by any customer in the Authority’s system are reviewed for impacts before they are authorized to proceed.   The Authority has discussed with Google their near and long-term needs and have factored that into supply planning.

Press Release - September 11, 2025

On September 10, 2025, the Authority's Board of Directors authorized execution of two agreements to plan for and implement improved water infrastructure and capacity for the regional utility’s service area. 

Utility Services Funding Agreement:  This agreement, with Botetourt County (County), will enable the Authority to study and develop new water supply sources to meet the growing needs of the County and the surrounding region, with the County funding the majority of this expense.

Water Supply Infrastructure Agreement:  This agreement, with Google, will enable the Authority to develop new, efficient and sustainable water infrastructure solutions, solely at the company’s expense.