Ohio EPA considers allowing data centers to dump wastewater into local streams and lakes
Did you know that just one data center uses around 500 million gallons of water a day? And that there are over 100 data centers here in Central Ohio? We’ll let you do the math on that.
Central Ohio residents were already concerned about the rising amount of data centers. For one, they’re causing a constant noise in some people’s neighborhoods. Residents are also experiencing soaring electric and water bills, and many people that live close to data centers nationwide are reporting severe health complications.
As if those weren’t enough to worry about, now, a proposed Ohio Environmental Protection Agency permit would allow data centers to release wastewater into Ohio’s lakes and streams.
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If this is approved, a five-year permit would allow certain data centers to release water used to cool down their technology and water from air compressor condensation and boiler blowdowns back into the state’s fresh water resources.
There are some limitations:
- Data centers couldn’t discharge water that “exhibits the reasonable potential” to break Ohio’s minimum water quality standards
- Any discharged water that isn’t up to public water supply standards couldn’t be discharged within 500 yards upstream from a public water supply intake.
- Discharges can’t occur in a lake other than Lake Erie, or into groundwater supplies
- Discharges cannot contain large traces of chemicals known as volatile organic compounds
In a statement, Ohio EPA said, “Ohio EPA does not allow discharges that harm aquatic life, recreation, or human health. Every permit includes strict limits and monitoring requirements to ensure water quality standards are met at the state and federal levels.” Even so, environmental groups, as well as citizens, are worried that water would be polluted throughout our state.
In a BBC Article that has gone viral, a Georgia woman discusses her experience living next to a data center. She cannot drink her water anymore. In a Rolling Stones article, data center wastewater in Oregon that’s going back into the fresh water supply is allegedly causing miscarriages and cancers. Jim Doherty, a cattle rancher and former county commissioner of Morrow (in Oregon), led the investigation. Of the first 30 homes he visited, 25 residents recently had miscarriages. Six lost a kidney. One resident had his voice box removed because of a rare cancer only smokers get, although he hadn’t smoked a day of his life.
The Ohio EPA’s draft permit is available for comment. To provide comments, please submit via Ohio EPA’s online comment portal. Comments will be accepted through Jan. 16, 2026.
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