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Wayne County IDA discusses water capacity, Micron and data‑center impacts on future growth
Summary
Board members and staff spent the bulk of the meeting discussing water and wastewater capacity — citing Micron and data centers as examples — and the need for county‑level coordination, studies, and funding to support housing and industrial growth.
Wayne County IDA board members used their June 15 meeting to outline concerns about local water and wastewater capacity as the region considers large industrial and data‑center investments.
Brian Pincelli, Executive Director, flagged ongoing state planning that could expand nuclear generation and highlighted pressure from data‑center projects in neighboring counties. He said Micron would "require a lot of water" and that the county is tracking a proposed five‑foot intake and other large water demands. "These water projects are expensive and there needs to be discussion on a political level making access to funding for water infrastructure less restrictive," Pincelli said.
Board members probed technical and environmental impacts. Kenneth VanFleet asked whether the water used for cooling would be permanently lost or returned to Lake Ontario, and whether pumping large volumes would affect local wells and watersheds. "Will the lake be able to support the recovery of having all that water pumped through a five‑foot intake," VanFleet asked; David Fantuzzo replied the used cooling water is pumped back into the lake and will be warmer than originally pumped. Julie DiLella raised local aquifer concerns, noting a drop from about 12 feet historically to one or two feet in some places and urged caution for rural residents reliant on wells.
Discussion centered on how to coordinate action: Interim County Administrator Mark Humbert and board members debated whether to approach individual towns or lead at the county level. Pincelli pointed to an ongoing Fast NY funded water and wastewater study as a starting point and the Smart Growth application approved earlier in the meeting as a mechanism to align towns. Board members also noted permitting hurdles involving the DEC and DOT and said federal or state programs such as EXPRESS NY are not available to smaller counties, limiting expedited permitting options.
No formal vote or policy change on water allocation was taken; the board directed staff discussion and recommended further coordination and study to determine capacity and funding options.
