Ohio environmental regulators are considering a draft permit that would allow data centers across the state to discharge certain wastewater and stormwater directly into rivers and streams.

The proposal, released by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, would apply to water used in cooling operations at both existing and future data centers, regardless of location. If approved, facilities covered under the permit could release that water under the conditions outlined in the draft.

One line in the proposal has caught plenty of attention. The draft states that lowering water quality in certain waterways may be necessary to accommodate what the agency calls important social and economic development in Ohio — a phrase that has left some residents wondering if the “P” in EPA still stands for “Protection.”

Environmental Questions

Critics say the draft permit appears to acknowledge upfront that some level of water quality degradation could occur if coverage is granted.

Residents have also raised questions about what might actually be in the cooling water leaving data centers and whether existing treatment systems are equipped to handle it. Concerns range from potential chemical residues to microplastics or other byproducts associated with large-scale cooling infrastructure.

Ohio already has nearly 200 data centers operating statewide, with more planned — particularly in central Ohio as demand grows for cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and large-scale data storage. Those facilities require significant cooling water to keep servers from overheating, which means a lot of water moving in and out of the system.

Economic "Tradeoffs"

Supporters of the projects often point to the construction activity and investment tied to new data centers. Critics counter that while construction can generate thousands of temporary jobs, permanent staffing levels at finished facilities are far smaller.

Some residents have also questioned who would ultimately pay if environmental monitoring or cleanup becomes necessary. They argue that long-term oversight costs could fall to taxpayers — meaning Ohioans might end up footing the bill for both the data centers and whatever ends up downstream.

Permit Still Under Review...

The permit has not been approved and remains in draft form while the Ohio EPA collects public feedback.

Still, the proposal has sparked debate about how far regulators should go in accommodating rapid data center growth — particularly when the discussion includes the possibility of intentionally lowering water quality in the state’s rivers.

As Ohio continues attracting digital infrastructure projects, regulators face a balancing act between economic development and environmental protection.

And for many residents watching the proposal unfold, the question isn’t just whether data centers should grow in the state — it’s whether Ohio’s rivers should have to take one for the team.

You can read the full proposal here.