Indianapolis Enacts Data Center Moratorium Amid Water Concerns and Zoning Standard Development
Water experts at the Indiana Water Summit discussed ways to protect the state's clean water supply, including minimizing the negative impacts of data centers on waterways. Indianapolis has approved three data center projects in the past two years, but concerns from residents about pollution and water usage led the city to enact a moratorium on new data centers through 2027. During this time, the city plans to develop new zoning standards for data center development.
Officials and water experts convened last week at the Biltwell Event Center for the White River Alliance's 9th annual Indiana Water Summit, focusing on the protection of Indiana's clean water supply, especially in the context of potential natural disasters. A key discussion point was how to mitigate the environmental impact of data centers on local waterways.
In the past two years, several companies proposed data center projects in Indianapolis, leading to community opposition due to concerns about potential pollution and excessive water consumption. Despite these concerns, Indianapolis approved three data center constructions.
Subsequently, the City of Indianapolis agreed to implement a moratorium on new data center developments, which will remain in effect through 2027. This pause is intended to allow the city to develop comprehensive zoning standards for future data center projects, with the aim of better understanding and managing their water usage.