Digital Realty AUS11 Austin
Proposed size
4 MW
Building area
337,000 sq ft
Cooling
Evaporative cooling (enterprise colocation standard)
Investment
$0.0B
Developer
Digital Realty
Digital Realty AUS11 is a colocation data center at 7500 Metro Center Drive in Austin (Travis County), part of a six-building portfolio acquired from MetCenter Business Park. At 4.2 MW, AUS11 is a small enterprise facility within the Highland Lakes basin. Digital Realty relocated its global headquarters from San Francisco to Austin.
Water Impact
Daily water use (estimated range)
36K – 52K gal/day
Water returned per day
None reported
Per Estimated from 4 MW using LBNL benchmark 9,000–13,000 gal/day/MW., based on MW benchmark at WUE 1.8–2.5 L/kWh, 80% utilization.
vs. 5M gal/day (typical 400 MW facility)
The higher estimate is equivalent to the daily water use of approximately 520 households. San Marcos has approximately 25,000 households.
- Water intake
- 36K – 52K gal/day
- Lost to evaporation
- 100%
- Returned to system
- 0% (None reported)
Direct water figures are estimates from permit applications and developer disclosures. Indirect (power generation) figures are calculated estimates. Actual water use depends on technology choices, operating capacity, and weather conditions.
Location
Address: 7500 Metro Center Drive, Austin, Travis County, TX
Water source: City of Austin Water
Infrastructure
- Water provider
- City of Austin Water
- Power provider
- Austin Energy
Fully operational — focus shifts to accountability and future policy
Advocacy now focuses on transparency, accountability, and shaping policy for the next project. Real data from operational facilities strengthens the case for mandatory water impact assessments on all future proposals.
Timeline
April 10, 2026
Inside Climate News covers Texas data center water demands amid statewide drought
Inside Climate News published "Texas Data Center Developers Play Offense on Water, Claiming Huge Cuts in Usage" on April 10, 2026, reporting on Texas legislative hearings on data center water and energy demands. The article noted 85% of Texas was under drought and cited the PUC chairman's call for transparency on water use.
Source →(opens in new tab)April 24, 2025
Austin City Council adopts resolution directing data center environmental and water study
Austin City Council adopted Resolution 55 on April 24, 2025, directing city staff to study the environmental impacts of data center growth in partnership with Austin Energy and Austin Water. The resolution, sponsored by Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes, directly affects Digital Realty's AUS11 facility (7500 Metro Center Drive) and any future Austin expansion plans.
Source →(opens in new tab)January 14, 2021
Digital Realty announces relocation of global headquarters to Austin, Texas
Digital Realty Trust announced on January 14, 2021 that it would relocate its global corporate headquarters from San Francisco, California to Austin, Texas. At the time, the company operated more than 30 data centers across Texas totaling over 4 million sq ft and approximately 100 MW of customer capacity, with nearly 20% of its North American workforce already based in the state.
Source →(opens in new tab)
Documents
Sources
- 1. AUS11 Data Center – Digital Realty — Digital Realty, 2025-01-01. Link →(opens in new tab)
- 2. Digital Realty moves global HQ to Austin, Texas — Data Centre Magazine, 2024-01-01. Link →(opens in new tab)
Community Notes
Small scale (4.2 MW); direct water impact modest. Digital Realty HQ relocation to Austin signals long-term commitment to the market.