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Longswamp planners flag water‑use and discharge concerns as they consider data‑center ordinance research
Summary
Commissioners reviewed model data‑center ordinances, emphasized that most on‑site water is used for cooling and noted limited long‑term local job creation; HEA will request Board authorization to research technical issues (including potential contaminants in discharge) to guide any ordinance amendment.
LONGSWAMP TOWNSHIP, Pa. — At the Dec. 2 meeting the commission reviewed circulated models for data‑center ordinances and flagged water consumption and discharge as primary regulatory concerns.
Hanover Engineering Associates and commissioners discussed that most site water for data centers is used for cooling and power distribution components, and that long‑term job creation after construction is limited. Commissioners asked for technical details about water demand and any contaminants in discharge; HEA will present to the Board of Supervisors to request authorization to pursue detailed research and possible ordinance language to address these issues.
The discussion was exploratory: the commission did not adopt an ordinance or vote on regulatory text at this meeting but recorded the need for further technical study before any regulatory action.
