Indiana data centers with 10-million-gallon monthly water capacity would need permits

A person would have to get a state water-use permit before operating each covered data center. This applies to a facility whose main work is storing, managing, and processing digital data and that can use at least 10 million gallons of water in one month. The application must include a fee, water-use estimates, the expected water source, and information showing the center will protect public health, safety, and welfare and promote water conservation and watershed health. The department may not approve a center that would harm public health, safety, or welfare, or impair water conservation or watershed health. If enacted, the permit rules would take effect July 1, 2026. The department must approve or deny a complete application within 90 days after notifying the applicant that it is complete.

A person planning a data center could ask the department to evaluate its water use, and the department would have to provide a written evaluation upon request. This applies to a proposed data center being assessed for water use. The department may ask for project details, estimated water use, and the expected water source. Information and documents exchanged for this evaluation would be confidential. If enacted, this consultation rule would take effect July 1, 2026.

A data center operator could transfer or assign the center's water-use permit to another person who plans to operate that same center. The recipient must intend to operate the data center covered by the permit. If enacted, this provision would take effect July 1, 2026.