St. Joseph Co. Drainage Board approves altered proposal for Amazon data center dewatering

The St. Joseph County Drainage Board has approved an adjusted proposal allowing Amazon to discharge up to 31 million gallons of water daily from its data center construction site in New Carlisle, Indiana. This decision follows months of scrutiny and multiple delays due to pushback from neighboring farmers and community members concerned about the potential impact on farmland and properties. Amazon had initially requested a maximum removal of 35 million gallons per day for the southwest corner of the property, but the board sought a lower rate to alleviate community concerns. The company also previously held a permit for the north side of the property, where the maximum discharge limit was never reached. In response to public concerns, Amazon met with farmers and provided a "letter of commitment" promising good faith engagement and cooperation to address any land impacts near the Niespodziany Ditch. As part of the approved permit, monitoring devices will be installed along the ditch to track water levels, and the Drainage Board retains the authority to suspend dewatering operations if levels become too high. The draining process is set to begin on Monday.