Officials consider sewer mining system to supply water for Lacy Lakeview data center

Lacy Lakeview, Texas, city leaders are evaluating a wastewater reuse solution for a prospective data center, following a proposal on March 24. The Lacy Lakeview City Council reviewed a preliminary development agreement with Energy Systems Group to study a "sewer mining system" presented by Energy Systems Group and wastewater company reUse. This system aims to recycle wastewater for industrial use, including for the planned data center, thereby conserving fresh and groundwater supplies. Randall Nelson, Chief Operating Officer for reUse, emphasized that the system would convert what is typically considered waste into a valuable resource, utilizing membrane technology to purify water by removing pollutants, viruses, and bacteria. The proposed system would divert wastewater from nearby facilities, including Waco, to a specialized treatment plant. During the council meeting, residents voiced concerns about the data center's potential to consume millions of gallons of water daily, along with potential noise and odor issues from the treatment process. Nelson addressed these by explaining that the treatment process would eliminate odors by converting gas to nitrogen and that the system would use "tri-low blowers," described as the quietest on the market. Kanyon Payne, an account executive with Energy Systems Group, also mentioned that the company would seek various funding sources to finance the project. No final decision has been reached by the Lacy Lakeview City Council. Officials indicated that further feasibility studies are scheduled to be conducted in the upcoming weeks before any approvals are granted.