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Resident urges county to study data-center water impacts and consider local controls
Summary
A public commenter asked supervisors to examine how data centers' freshwater use and evaporative cooling can raise nitrate concentrations and strain wastewater systems and urged the board to consider water-study requirements and mitigation measures similar to a Lynn County ordinance.
During the public-comment period, Shauna Anderson of Oakland asked the board to examine local controls on data-center water use and urged officials to study potential impacts on groundwater quality and wastewater systems.
Anderson warned that large data centers using freshwater for evaporative cooling can withdraw millions of gallons per day and that evaporation concentrates nitrates in remaining water, which may then be returned to municipal wastewater systems or used for irrigation, increasing nitrate loads. She suggested the county review model ordinances (she cited Lynn County) that require comprehensive water studies, water-use agreements, setbacks and infrastructure compensation.
Supervisors acknowledged the concerns and noted regional coordination with neighboring counties would be necessary for effective watershed-scale management.
Next steps: board members suggested the county engage public-health, planning and neighboring jurisdictions to consider options and report back if a formal policy or ordinance process is appropriate.
