Vernon, TX – Vernon Mayor Pam Gosline has released a detailed update addressing the city’s water agreements and infrastructure investments connected to the Google data center being developed in Wilbarger County near Oklaunion.
According to Gosline, the City of Vernon has a contract with Platon Investments, LLC to provide up to 194,000 gallons of potable water per day to the data center. Usage will be monitored daily by meter.
Gosline disputed claims circulating on social media that the city is selling one million gallons of potable water per day to the project.
The mayor said Vernon can produce approximately 6 million gallons of raw water per day and process 4 million gallons of potable water daily, while average potable water usage is about 2 million gallons per day.
Under the agreement, Platon Investments pays $8 per 1,000 gallons of potable water, compared with the $3.40 per 1,000 gallons Gosline said Vernon residents currently pay. If drought restrictions become necessary, the data center's daily allocation would also be reduced.
The mayor also outlined several infrastructure investments associated with the project:
• Google is paying for an 8-inch water line along FM 1949 from U.S. 287 to FM 2897 to serve the data center.
• Google will provide Vernon $4.5 million for infrastructure repairs, including replacement of a water line more than 50 years old.
• Another $1.3 million will be set aside to drill an additional well and connect existing wells.
Gosline said there is currently no agreement for Vernon to provide water to the project's Workforce Hub, sometimes referred to as a “Man Camp.” Any future agreement would have to appear on a published agenda and receive a vote at a city commission meeting.
Separately, Vernon sells treated wastewater to RPMX for $5 per 1,000 gallons, with purchases capped at 500,000 gallons per day. Gosline said RPMX has not approached that maximum to date.
The mayor said the agreements are intended to generate additional city revenue while funding infrastructure improvements and maintaining sufficient water supplies for residents and emergencies.