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Issue #2699 with Topical Report: State Legislative Approaches to Data Centers
HIGHLIGHTS
On May 18, 2026, EPA proposed two new rules to modify the 2024 national drinking water standards for PFAS, with public comments due July 20, 2026. One rule would rescind certain PFAS compound regulations, while the other would allow public water systems to request up to two additional years to meet PFOA and PFOS standards.
On May 26, the U.S. Supreme Court approved a settlement in Texas v. New Mexico and Colorado, resolving a long-running dispute over Rio Grande water deliveries among.
On May 29, Governor Spencer Cox issued an executive order establishing a framework requiring state agencies to weigh water, air quality, wildlife, and ratepayer impacts when evaluating data center development.
Karla Nemeth will leave her role as Director of the California Department of Water Resources on July 3, 2026, to become Executive Director of the Association of California Water Agencies.
Jeanine Jones, Interstate Resources Manager for California DWR, is also retiring after nearly 30 years of service, leaving a notable legacy in western water management and forecasting.
Topical Report: State Legislative Approaches to Data Centers: The rapid expansion of data centers across the Western United States has prompted a wave of state legislative activity as governments work to balance economic opportunity against growing pressure on water supplies, electricity grids, and residential ratepayers. Many enacted measures have centered on transparency and cost-recovery, with states like Utah, Nebraska, Idaho, Oklahoma, Oregon, and South Dakota establishing water reporting mandates, closed-loop cooling requirements, and laws requiring data centers to bear the full cost of grid infrastructure. Interventions such as building moratoriums, water consumption caps, and drought-based geographic restrictions, were proposed across numerous states but stalled in virtually every legislature that considered them.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
WSWC Virtual Summer (210th) Meetings
The Western States Water Council will hold its 210th Meetings virtually on July 14–16, 2026. Webinars on various topics of interest will be scheduled for June, July, and August. Additional agenda details and registration will be posted as they become available at the link below:
EPA Tools & Resources Webinar
EPA will host a free webinar on June 17 from 3–4 PM ET covering the latest developments in its Water Reuse Action Plan 2.0 and priorities for key industrial sectors. Presenters will also demonstrate the REUSExplorer, a searchable tool for navigating state water reuse regulations.