Aug. 20: Google to give $10M for Indiana water stewardship; initial $1.1M to Fort Wayne City Utilities
Google has committed $10 million to water stewardship in Indiana, with an initial $1.1 million directed to Fort Wayne City Utilities. This funding supports improved water reuse at the Three Rivers Filtration Plant, reducing withdrawals from the St. Joseph River, and is tied to the operation of Google's new data center in Fort Wayne.
Google's data center in southeast Fort Wayne is now operational, and the company has announced a $10 million donation to support community water sources, infrastructure, and access across Indiana. The first project to receive funding is a $1.1 million contribution to Fort Wayne City Utilities. This allocation will improve water reuse and operations at the Three Rivers Filtration Plant, specifically enhancing how lime residuals are handled.
Matthew Wirtz, deputy director of Fort Wayne City Utilities, stated that the project will reduce withdrawals from the St. Joseph River by about 180 million gallons annually, leading to an estimated savings of $150,000 per year. Ben Townsend, global head of infrastructure strategy & sustainability at Google, underscored the company's commitment to protecting community water resources and investing in infrastructure where it operates data centers. This initiative expands on Google's existing water stewardship efforts in Indiana, including wetland protection and support for water-efficient farming.