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Residents and advocates debate potable reuse and data‑center impacts after Ormond Beach water workshop
Summary
After a city workshop on potable reuse, public commenters and advocates raised concerns about unknown contaminants in potable reuse, and urged the commission to study or limit data centers because of large water and energy demands.
Speakers at the Ormond Beach City Commission public‑comment period urged caution after a daytime potable‑reuse workshop held for commissioners and staff.
"This was a one‑sided presentation designed to sell us treated sewage as drinking water," Elena Craft told the commission, saying presenters failed to answer how unknown or emerging contaminants would be handled. Other speakers emphasized that modern reuse undergoes advanced, multi‑barrier treatment but warned limits to testing and unknown long‑term effects.
Environmental advocates warned that large data centers pose a separate and urgent water‑resource risk. Suzanne Schreiber of Dream Green Volusia cited figures she said were from state materials and industry analyses showing medium‑sized data centers can use millions of gallons per year and that large facilities can strain local water supplies and electrical infrastructure.
Deputy Mayor Lori Tolland and other commissioners emphasized the need for public education before any binding action. Tolland said Ormond Beach is approaching state deadlines to reduce discharge and that every water tool should be considered; at the same time she supported an educational program so voters and residents understand the options before a policy decision.
Commissioners asked staff to compile options and legal constraints for future votes, including whether local restrictions on data centers are feasible under pending state and federal guidance. Staff said they would review state bills referenced by speakers (including the cited Senate Bill 484) and return with recommendations that weigh existing state and federal limitations, local zoning authority and water‑resource impacts.
No ordinance or charter amendment was proposed at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to bring back research and an outreach/education plan for the public and the commission.
