Wastewater Discharge

Ohio EPA drafts permit allowing data centers to dump wastewater & biocides into state waters

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has drafted a five-year permit allowing data centers to discharge wastewater containing biocides, heavy metals, and PFAS into state waters, including Lake Erie. This new blanket permit would replace individual permits, significantly reducing review processes and potentially leading to a decline in water quality. The permit includes optional pollution prevention measures if deemed economically infeasible.