Columbus City Council considers data center regulations, including water usage requirements
Columbus City Council is considering three new laws to regulate data center developments in the city. These proposed regulations address water conservation, site decommissioning, and sewer line connections. A public hearing is scheduled for community input on the measures.
Columbus City Council is reviewing three proposed laws aimed at further regulating hyperscale data center developments within the city, a move distinct from the temporary bans (moratoriums) adopted by other nearby cities like Cleveland and Plain City. These proposals will be subject to a public hearing at City Hall on Wednesday evening.
One key legislative proposal mandates a comprehensive water conservation plan for all data centers, both existing and new. This plan would require facilities to detail their water-using systems, project future consumption, identify water sources, and assess the feasibility of using non-potable or reclaimed water. It also calls for specific conservation measures, including a drought response plan and regular maintenance of cooling towers.
A second proposed law would require all new and existing data centers to submit a site decommissioning plan. This plan must include a facility inventory, an environmental assessment, a waste management strategy, a demolition schedule, and cost estimates. Companies would have one year to submit these plans, along with periodic updates, and a site restoration plan addressing grading, erosion control, and landscaping would also be necessary upon closure.
Finally, the third proposed law focuses on how data centers connect to sewer lines. It would require reporting on water usage and any chemicals added to the water. This legislation would also empower the director of Columbus Water and Power to assess fees for high discharge, specific wastewater characteristics, or necessary infrastructure improvements driven by data center development, with the authority to suspend or revoke sewer service for non-compliance or unauthorized discharges. While many data centers in central Ohio are outside Columbus city limits, many rely on the city's water systems, with data centers currently accounting for an estimated 1.2 billion gallons or 3% of the city's annual water usage. The Council is expected to consider these laws after its summer recess ends on August 24.