Developer says closed‑loop cooling limits water use; residents ask for DNR data and written guarantees

During Q&A, Conland said a modern closed‑loop cooling system would require an initial fill estimated at "about three and a half million gallons" and then modest annual top‑ups (he estimated roughly 150,000 gallons a year), which he compared to the annual use of several houses. He and staff said closed‑loop designs reduce evaporative discharge relative to older evaporative cooling systems and that any consumptive or discharge limits would be governed by Iowa DNR permitting and an enforceable water‑supply agreement with the municipality.

Residents asked whether the DNR and utility permitting process would fully capture steam‑plant condensate or other discharges from on‑site generation; Conland said the power‑generation side has separate emissions and water‑management permitting and that the city should request technical studies and DNR guidance before approving any development agreement. Councilors directed staff to gather DNR permitting materials and comparative data from other communities with closed‑loop designs.