Lacy Lakeview considers 'sewer mining' to help supply water for proposed data center

The city of Lacy Lake View, Texas, is considering a process known as "sewer mining" to supply water for a proposed data center located in Ross, an unincorporated part of McLennan County. This initiative comes as the Lacy Lake View City Council continues to advance the project despite ongoing questions and opposition from residents and nearby city officials. At a recent council meeting, consultants from Energy Systems Group and Reuse Innovations presented a preliminary development agreement that included the "sewer mining" plan. This method involves extracting wastewater from existing sewer lines, treating it using membrane technology, and then reusing it. The primary goal is to provide water for the data center without impacting the community's drinking water supply. However, the proposal faces significant public opposition. Ross resident Sarah Manarek Leonard voiced concerns about the environmental impacts of the project, particularly regarding the disposal of leftover sludge from the wastewater treatment process. She also questioned the lack of transparent communication from the city regarding permitting requirements from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCQ) and other project details. A city-authorized study on the "sewer mining" proposal is estimated to cost $200,000, which the developer has offered to cover if permitted to proceed with building a treatment facility. The plan also explored the possibility of tapping into Waco's sewer line, but the city of Waco has confirmed it has not received any official requests for water or sewer access from Lacy Lake View.