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Groundwater ban draws questions about wastewater and discharge monitoring
Summary
Committee's proposed zoning bans groundwater use for cooling; public commenters asked how wastewater discharge would be handled and whether the municipal treatment plant can meet new loads.
Staff told the committee the draft prohibits groundwater withdrawal for cooling in data center operations, a provision intended to protect groundwater resources. "Groundwater withdrawal for cooling purposes is prohibited," the Planner said, adding the restriction is a direct response to community concern.
Members and public commenters then asked about wastewater discharge and monitoring. A resident asked what the city would do about discharged cooling water; staff replied the wastewater-treatment plant works with industries to evaluate discharge quality and that the plant has standards industry must meet before discharge. "The water that we discharge from our wastewater treatment plant is actually cleaner than the water that we take in from the Blanchard River," staff said, and staff added the city would require corrective action or cost recovery for plant improvements if a company's discharge required upgrades.
