Lake Erie Watchdog Group Urges Governments to Regulate How Data Centers Dispose of Water
The Lake Erie Foundation is urging Ohio and local governments to require data center operators to disclose water use, cooling methods, wastewater disposal practices and chemical risks. The recommendations follow a review of Aligned’s NEO-01 facility near Sandusky, while Cleveland officials consider water-related oversight as the city’s moratorium on new data centers remains in effect until January 2027.
John Lipaj of the Lake Erie Foundation toured Aligned’s NEO-01 hyperscale data center near Perkins Township outside Sandusky and found that its closed-loop cooling system reduces wastewater, with stormwater subject to review before reaching Lake Erie. The facility’s water-management practices prompted the watchdog group to call for stronger safeguards before additional hyperscale projects are built across Ohio.
The Lake Erie Foundation’s proposals would require operators to disclose detailed water consumption, cooling processes, disposal methods and potential chemical contamination. Cleveland City Councilman Brian Kazy said cooling systems will be addressed in upcoming legislation, as the city’s moratorium on new data centers is scheduled to expire in January 2027. The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District would oversee sewer-related issues, including concerns about PFAS entering the system.