The Linn County Board of Supervisors approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Google under which the company will pay for an independent, third-party study of the county's water resources. The study, called a water balance study, is intended to give Linn County important regional water data to help with long-term water planning.

Google will pay up to USD 242,323 for the first phase of the study, the estimate that Black & Veatch submitted in its proposal for phase 1 of the project. Black & Veatch, a third-party consulting firm, will complete the work.

What the Study Will Cover

The study will review current water resources and use, future water demand, drought risks, and gaps in available data. It will also identify where more monitoring or computer modeling may be needed.

The water balance study will review connected water sources, including the Cedar River, the Cedar River alluvial aquifer, the Devonian-Silurian aquifer, and the Jordan aquifer. The study will look at average conditions, dry years, and severe or extended drought conditions.

Division of Roles Between County and Google

Under the MOU, Linn County will choose the consultant and will control the study's scope. Google's only role is to fund the study up to the agreed amount. Google will have no role in determining the study's scope, directing its work, reviewing drafts, or approving the study's results.

"Google will not review the results while the study is underway and will not see the results before the public," Linn County Planning & Development Director Charlie Nichols said. "This was an important part of the agreement."

Timeline and County Priorities

Linn County expects the study to be complete in March 2027, with results available in time for the county's Data Center Advisory Committee meeting on water resources.

"The data from this study will help us make informed policy decisions for the whole county," Linn County Board of Supervisors Chair Kirsten Running-Marquardt said.

"Residents continue to tell us that water quality, water availability, and planning for floods and droughts are priorities. We want residents to know we are listening, and we will use the best information available while keeping residents' quality of life at the center of our decisions."

Study Part of Data Center Moratorium Work

The MOU applies only to the water balance study. It does not commit Linn County to a position of supporting or opposing Google's proposed data center project near Palo. The final report will help the county decide what future water monitoring or projects may be needed.

The water balance study is part of Linn County's work during its data center moratorium for unincorporated areas of the county. Linn County adopted an 18-month moratorium in July 2026 on new large-scale data centers to allow time to review its current regulations and consider potential impacts on water resources, electrical infrastructure, transportation, long-range land use planning, emergency response, and other public services. The temporary moratorium applies only to unincorporated areas of Linn County.

The MOU and water balance study support Linn County's broader efforts to plan for future growth while considering the needs of residents, neighboring communities, and existing infrastructure.

The unsigned version of the MOU is posted on Linn County's website for digital accessibility reasons; residents may request a signed version by emailing the Board of Supervisors' office.

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