Google data center project cited for stormwater violation
TL;DR: Google's Project Peanut data center in Chesterfield received a second environmental violation notice from Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality, dated October 30, this one citing stormwater management problems during construction. It came 31 days after a first notice on September 29.
Quick facts
- Who: Google (Project Peanut data center)
- What: Second DEQ stormwater management violation citation citing missing sediment controls, improperly protected basins, and sediment-filled drainage
- When: October 30, 2026
- Where: Project Peanut site, Bermuda Hundred Road, Chesterfield County
The story
Google's Project Peanut data center has received a second environmental violation notice, this one citing stormwater management problems. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality issued the citation on October 30, 2026, detailing multiple control deficiencies: missing stabilization measures designed to prevent sediment runoff, stormwater basins lacking proper silt fencing or vegetative protection that became inundated with sediment, and construction activities completed out of sequence with upland disturbances beginning before downhill runoff controls were finished. Inspection photographs documented sediment-filled water accumulating at stormwater drains.
The DEQ notice cited violations of the Virginia Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit and potential breaches of the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Act. DEQ expects a formal response by Friday, November 13, VPM News reported. Possible next steps include a consent agreement addressing necessary site rehabilitations.
This citation came 31 days after a September 29, 2026 violation notice citing seven separate incidents of unpermitted sediment pollution affecting nearby streams and wetlands outside the permitted project scope. That earlier notice alleged unauthorized filling of surface waters on December 30, 2025, March 2, March 20, May 28, July 1, July 31, and August 5, 2026, impacting approximately 7,735 linear feet of stream channel, 0.75 acres of forested wetlands, and 0.65 acres of emergent wetlands. Potential penalties for that notice reached $32,500 per violation per day.
Google responded to the initial violations attributing sediment runoff to significant rainfall that overwhelmed existing stormwater controls, stating the company paused general construction to focus on cleanup, environmental protection, and site stabilization, noting most identified violations had already been addressed.
Project Peanut, part of Google's $9 billion data center investment across three Chesterfield campuses, encompasses 855,846 square feet of data centers across three buildings on a 300-acre site at Bermuda Hundred Road. The project remains under construction with a targeted online date of late 2027.
Key players
- Virginia Department of Environmental Quality: State regulator issuing violation notices
- Google: Project Peanut developer and permit holder
The case for
Google has said significant rainfall at the site overwhelmed existing stormwater controls and caused the sediment runoff, that it temporarily paused general construction to focus on cleanup and site stabilization, and that most items in the September notice had already been addressed.
The case against
Google has blamed heavy rain, but DEQ documents reported by VPM News show some required stormwater controls were never installed or were installed out of sequence. After the first notice, attorney Brian Fayman told WTVR the timeline was "concerningly long" and said the county has authority to issue a stop work order.
Why it matters: The violations affect Chesterfield's waterways and wetlands, directly impacting the county's natural resources and water quality. Regulatory enforcement and how the project responds sets expectations for environmental compliance as data center construction continues in the county.
Correction (2026-11-10): An earlier version of this story said the October 30 notice came less than a month after the September 29 notice and that DEQ wanted a response by the Friday after the notice. The notices were 31 days apart, and DEQ expects a response by Friday, November 13, according to VPM News.
Places
Development timeline
- 2025-12-30First documented unauthorized sediment incident: DEQ records first of seven alleged unpermitted sediment pollution incidents [source]
- 2026-09-29First DEQ violation notice issued: Virginia DEQ cites seven sediment runoff violations affecting 7,735 linear feet of streams and 1.4 acres of wetlands; potential penalties reach $32,500 per violation per day [source]
- 2026-10-30Second DEQ violation notice issued: DEQ cites stormwater management control deficiencies including missing sediment stabilization measures, inadequately protected basins, and out-of-sequence construction work [source]
Related links
Read the original at VPM News →
Sources
- Project Peanut hit with second environmental violation notice - VPM
- Google data center project in Chesterfield cited for environmental violations - VPM
- Google data center cited for 7 DEQ violations in Chesterfield - WTVR