Columbus Council Considers Data Center Water Regulations Amid Environmental Concerns
Chattahoochee Riverkeeper submitted recommendations to the Columbus Council regarding a proposed technology overlay district ordinance for data centers, advocating for stricter environmental protections. The group raised concerns about water usage, PFAS risks, wastewater, chemical storage, and emissions, urging the council to enhance the ordinance before its upcoming vote. Columbus Water Works responded to council inquiries about water supply and infrastructure costs for a proposed hyperscale data center known as Project Ruby.
The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (CRK) submitted extensive recommendations to the Columbus Council, Georgia, as the city prepares for the first reading of a proposed technology overlay district ordinance for data centers. The environmental watchdog group is pressing for more stringent environmental protections within the ordinance, particularly concerning the significant water demands of hyperscale data centers and potential contamination issues.
CRK, through its water policy director Chris Manganiello and director Henry Jacobs, generally supported the ordinance's ban on open-loop cooling. However, they critically noted the draft's deficiencies regarding water-related safeguards and other environmental aspects. CRK highlighted that large industrial users, including data centers, could drill up to 100,000 gallons of groundwater daily without specific local legislation and recommended that data centers be required to pay for any necessary water infrastructure on their properties. Conversely, Columbus Water Works president Jeremy Cummings downplayed water concerns, asserting that the city's permit allows for 90 million gallons per day, far exceeding the estimated 330,000 gallons per day for "Project Ruby," a proposed hyperscale data center in northeast Muscogee County. Cummings confirmed that the developer of Project Ruby would be responsible for the estimated $30 million infrastructure cost and would pay the same water rates as other large businesses.
Beyond water quantity, CRK raised alarms about potential PFAS "forever chemicals" in advanced cooling technologies and questioned the ordinance's lack of clarity on the storage of chemicals and fuels for backup generators. The group advocated for stricter Tier IV emission controls for backup generators, which are more stringent than current Georgia requirements. Additionally, CRK recommended public notification for data center developments, a clearer definition of hyperscale facilities, and a lower noise limit of 40 decibels, compared to the proposed 55 decibels. The Columbus Council is scheduled to vote on the technology overlay district ordinance on June 16, with CRK urging the city to incorporate its recommendations for enhanced environmental safeguards.