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Residents press the council for answers on data-center wastewater and noise
Summary
Speakers raised technical concerns that a proposed data center could generate industrial wastewater containing ethylene glycol, PFAS, biocides and heavy metals and questioned whether local treatment facilities and noise rules would protect residents.
Several residents told the council they are worried about industrial wastewater, noise and infrasound from a proposed data center sited near homes. Carolyn Kiefer said the application and environmental review did not address industrial wastewater content, raised the possibility of PFAS and other contaminants, and asked whether the Empire Wastewater Treatment Facility could accept such waste. "Will the residents be required to pay for upgrades to the facility to help out the billion dollar company?" she asked.
Dr. Mike Kiefer, who identified himself as a doctor and gave an address in Castle Rock Township, listed four chemicals he said are present in hyperscale data-center wastewater — ethylene glycol, PFAS, biocides and heavy metals — and warned of possible disposal methods he found referenced in external project materials, including onsite holding ponds, discharge to municipal treatment plants and land application. The chair cut a speaker off when time expired; council did not respond substantively during the public-comment period. The transcript records these as resident claims; the council did not verify them during the meeting.
