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Data center water consumption depends on factors such as facility size, cooling type (water intensive or air cooled) and outdoor temperature. Prince William County had 42 data centers in 2024. Seasonal weather affects data center water use; facility water use is lower in winter and higher in summer. In 2024, data centers in Prince William County consumed approximately 2.7% of Prince William Water's average daily water demands and 5.3% of its maximum daily water demands.

Data centers do not decrease water supply availability to Prince William County. Prince William Water’s system has eastern and western components, with drinking water supplied primarily by Fairfax Water. See graphic below.

• Western Prince William County: Data centers are primarily located in the western areas of Prince William County. Western Prince William County drinking water is supplied by Fairfax Water’s Corbalis Water Treatment Plant, which draws from the Potomac River. Once used by data centers in western Prince William County, the wastewater is treated at the Upper Occoquan Service Authority Water Reclamation Plant and released as reclaimed water to the Occoquan Reservoir. In this water cycle, water used from the Potomac is reclaimed and released into the Occoquan Reservoir, adding volume.

   

• Eastern Prince William County: Drinking water for the east system is supplied by Fairfax Water’s Griffith Water Treatment Plant, which draws water from the Occoquan Reservoir. The eastern system does not supply data centers or other developments in western Prince William County and as a result development in western Prince William County effectively increases the water supply available to meet eastern Prince William County water demands.