# Paxton Investigates Texas Data Centers' Water Reporting

> Texas attorney general probes data centers over water use compliance
- Title: Paxton Investigates Texas Data Centers' Water Reporting
- Summary: Texas attorney general probes data centers over water use compliance Texas AG Paxton investigates hundreds of data centers for water reporting failures
- Keywords: ken paxton, texas water development board, data centers, water use reporting, texas governor, governor greg abbott, twdb survey, water permits, class c misdemeanor, news, politics, Paxton
- Source: Dallas Express — https://dallasexpress.com/state/paxton-launches-investigation-into-texas-data-centers-over-water-reporting
- Author: Dallas Express
- Published: 2026-09-24T20:44:55+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ken paxton, texas water development board, data centers, water use reporting, texas governor, governor greg abbott, twdb survey, water permits, class c misdemeanor, news, politics
## Paxton Launches Water Probe
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton began an investigation into hundreds of data centers across Texas for water use reporting compliance.

> My office is currently investigating hundreds of data center developments to ensure that they are transparent about their water usage and fully compliant with the law.
## Abbott Orders Water Compliance
Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Water Development Board to enforce water reporting laws on data centers and impose penalties for noncompliance.

> Data centers must share the duty to protect Texas water.
## Data Centers Must Report
Texas law requires data centers to complete and return water use surveys for groundwater and surface water usage.
## Survey Deadline Extended
The Texas Water Development Board's 2026 water survey application closed July 1, but late submissions are accepted using printable forms.
## Investigation Covers Multiple Counties
Paxton's investigation includes data centers in 17 counties including Harris, Dallas, and Tarrant.
## Noncompliance Consequences
Failure to report water use can result in loss of financial assistance and water permits, plus a Class C misdemeanor penalty.
## Key takeaway

Texas AG Paxton investigates hundreds of data centers for water reporting failures