Bill > HB496

This bill, effective January 1, 2027, amends existing law to require certain water users, specifically those withdrawing significant amounts of water, to report their water usage. The key change is that any water user providing water to another person offsite must now report the total volume of potable water and, separately, the total volume of reclaimed water (water treated and repurposed from wastewater or non-potable sources) provided monthly to specific categories, including data centers that have an air permit from the Department of Environmental Quality, and to the extent possible without changing utility billing systems, domestic, commercial, and industrial purposes. This new reporting requirement aims to provide greater transparency and data for water resource management, particularly concerning the water consumption of large facilities like data centers, and ensures that reclaimed water volumes are not combined with potable water in public reports.

Government Affairs

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB496