Recap: South Kingstown Council Bans Data Centers, Funds Factory Pond Well Study
The South Kingstown Town Council approved a zoning amendment that prohibits data centers in every zoning district, effective immediately upon passage. The council also authorized up to $169,000 for GZA GeoEnvironmental to study the Factory Pond Wellfield amid drought, water-quality and capacity concerns involving supplier Veolia.
The South Kingstown Town Council approved an amendment prohibiting data centers in all town zoning districts. Town legal counsel Amy Goins said the ordinance defines data centers as an industrial use and bars them throughout the zoning table, although developers could seek a use variance or request a future zoning change. Council Vice-President Michael K. Marran said the restriction responds partly to the large amounts of electricity and cooling water data centers require during ongoing drought conditions.
The council also approved up to $169,000 for GZA GeoEnvironmental to study the Factory Pond Wellfield, using PFAS settlement funds. The review will examine PFAS, iron and manganese, well capacity, and potential filtration and operating costs, with results expected around spring. Veolia representatives separately addressed criticism over drought communications, while odd-even watering restrictions remained in effect and potential new water supplies were described as several years away because of testing and permitting.