River Ridge says Meta data center will use closed‑loop cooling and ‘only on the hottest days’ will draw water
Summary
Council members queried whether the Jeffersonville/Meta data center would strain local water; River Ridge’s executive director said the site uses closed‑loop cooling, peak demand is limited to very hot days, and recent plans reduced projected water use to about 10% of an earlier proposal.
Council members raised questions about water-resource impacts from the Jeffersonville/Meta data center during the River Ridge update. Mark Hildenbrand said River Ridge operates its own water system and that the new capacity will reach about 12,000,000 gallons per day.
“That's about 17% of what the ammunition plant used,” Hildenbrand said, comparing current planned capacity to historical plant use. He described Meta's design as a closed‑loop system that recirculates cooling water and said the company’s peak water use will occur only on very hot days. “They're only using it on days ... 90 degrees and above,” Hildenbrand said, and added that Meta’s final proposal cut projected water use to roughly 10% of its original ask.
Hildenbrand told the council the River Ridge system has been studied and that the aquifer feeding local systems has capacity; he also noted community grants Meta has provided to local schools. Council members pressed for clarity about water reporting and impacts; Hildenbrand said River Ridge will continue to provide data and that the closed‑loop design minimizes ongoing withdrawals.
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