Vantage seeks permission to use well water

Vantage Data Centers is seeking approval to utilize existing wells on its property for temporary construction operations at its Lighthouse Campus in Port Washington, Wisconsin. The Port Washington Board of Public Works is scheduled to consider Vantage's request next week, alongside similar requests from other property owners. City officials, including Public Works Director Rob Vanden Noven and City Engineer Roger Strohm, emphasize that the primary concern is ensuring the wells are not connected to the municipal water system, a condition Vantage assures will be met.

Mark Freeman, Vantage's vice president of global marketing, stated that two existing wells would support temporary construction trailers used as offices, drawing up to 12,000 gallons daily into two 6,000-gallon holding tanks. He clarified that these wells are solely for construction duration and will be abandoned once city water service is available to the site. Freeman also noted that the trailers are for staff offices, not housing.

Separately, Vantage has applied to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for a high-capacity well permit. The DNR is currently reviewing this application and has requested additional information. A DNR spokesman indicated that the agency assesses potential harm to state waters, including private and municipal wells, streams, lakes, and wetlands, when reviewing such permits. Freeman explained that the permit is sought because the DNR aggregates the capacity of all Vantage-owned wells, pushing them past the high-capacity threshold, not due to an expectation of high-volume use in practice. The wells are expected to operate for 18 to 24 months before being filled and sealed.