Microsoft data center project raises concerns over groundwater discharge into Juday Creek
The St. Joseph County Drainage Board approved a permit allowing Microsoft crews to pump up to 200,000 gallons of groundwater per hour from its Mishawaka data center construction site into Juday Creek. Residents are concerned the discharge could worsen flooding, erosion, pollution and harm wildlife in the watershed.
The St. Joseph County Drainage Board approved a permit for Microsoft to discharge groundwater into Juday Creek while crews install sewer and water lines at the company’s data center development in Mishawaka. The pumping could continue for about 40 days, with up to 200,000 gallons entering the creek each hour and nearly 192 million gallons potentially drained from one area of the site.
Residents, including Steve Francis of the Juday Lake Estates Homeowners Association and Esther Kather, urged the board to address concerns about flooding, erosion, pollution, wildlife and pressure on the local watershed. Despite requests to delay the decision, groundwater pumping is expected to begin in late February and continue through April.