Property owner says Amazon construction is flooding his yard; township to meet with Amazon

A property owner told the Salem Township Board of Supervisors on April 14 that groundwater running from nearby Amazon data center construction is constantly flooding his yard and that he would like to be "bought out." Manager Amy Evans said the Township will discuss the water issue with Amazon at a meeting the next day.

The complaint was raised during the public-comment portion of the meeting after staff reported multiple construction activities in the area. Minutes record the owner's statement and the Manager's response but show no immediate remediation or commitment from Amazon; the Township scheduled follow-up discussion with the company.

Earlier in the meeting a resident had asked about the number and cooling types of Amazon's new buildings; attendees were informed there are two air-cooled and three water-cooled buildings under construction. The minutes do not verify whether those counts or cooling types have been confirmed by Amazon or another party.

Why it matters: Persistent flooding at a private property can indicate stormwater or construction-dewatering impacts that may require remediation, engineering review or mitigation agreements. A request to be "bought out" is a claim by the property owner and does not reflect any Township action to purchase the property; the minutes note only that the issue will be discussed with Amazon at an upcoming meeting.

What's next: Township staff told the Board they will raise the issue with Amazon at a scheduled meeting the next day. The minutes do not record outcomes of that meeting or any follow-up schedule.