Ohio communities raise concerns about data centers’ water use, pollution and power demand
Communities across Ohio are expressing concerns about data centers' significant water usage, potential water pollution from effluent and PFAS chemicals, and increased electricity demand reliant on fossil fuels. They are also troubled by the state's consideration of a general permit for wastewater discharge that could reduce environmental scrutiny.
Communities across Ohio are raising alarms about the multifaceted impacts of proposed data center developments. Concerns span from noise and light pollution to the transformation of vast land into industrial sites. A primary worry revolves around water usage, with a single data center potentially consuming up to 5 million gallons daily, exacerbating issues in a state that experienced severe droughts in 2024 and 2025.
The discharge of wastewater, or effluent, from data centers is another major point of contention. This wastewater can contain biocides, heavy metals, flame retardants, and dissolved solids, posing risks of environmental damage, including thermal pollution, especially when added to low-volume streams. The state of Ohio is reportedly considering a general permit for data centers' National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits, which critics fear would streamline approvals with minimal environmental impact assessments and bypass pre-testing of water sources.
Further environmental concerns include the use of PFAS-gas chemicals in cooling and semiconductor manufacturing, linked to various serious health problems. The reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation for these facilities also suggests an increase in fracking, particularly in southeast Ohio, leading to more water withdrawals, toxic brine, and related infrastructure. Residents question the benefits these data centers will bring versus the potential risks to their local communities and the environment.