Frankfort Municipal Utilities completed an analysis regarding whether Frankfort’s water, sewer, and electric infrastructure can support the proposed data center on County Road 300 W and 0 N. Frankfort Municipal Utilities’ answer is yes.
A study conducted and dated November 16, found Frankfort has enough power, water, and wastewater available to support the proposed use without adversely affecting existing customers and rates. Thus, with regard to the utilities, the project is viable.
The energy consumption will be high once it is in operation. This is broken down by FMU into levels, which include small demand in late 2025, up to 250,000 kilowatts when the center is completed in 2027.
According to the FMU, there will be adequate energy available from the regional energy network, besides the construction of a sub-station on the proposed site.
According to the report, the cost of the new substation will not be passed by Frankfort customers. It will be a cost covered by the developer.
However, according to FMU, although this will be an increased electrical demand than what they are used to serving currently, regular residences and businesses will be unaffected with regard to service and reliability issues.
The data center will actually use less water in the long run than what is being feared about water consumption because most of the water will be used during construction and startup phases only, whereas when the data center is up and running, the cooling facilities will use significantly less water than what is being used in old data centers today.
Currently, only half of Frankfort’s total water needs are being produced by the Frankfort water plant. Frankfort sources its water from the Teays River Aquifer, with both an upper and lower level. According to FMU, the aquifer has an adequate supply, and engineers have evaluated its refill rates and determined it refills properly.
It can handle 9 million gallons of water per day. Frankfort consumes 4.4 million gallons per day, leaving 4.6 million gallons unused capacity, which is adequate, according to FMU.
Regarding sewer service, FMU indicates the treatment plant has capacity for the data center. The treatment capacity of the plant is 9 million gallons a day, and it is handling 3.8 to 4.2 million gallons a day. This provides some space for the data center’s wastewater, which is mostly generated from bathrooms and areas used for cleaning, excluding cooling water.
The sewer line serving the 300 W area already exists but is being upgraded pursuant to a project approved in June 2024, according FMU. The report went on to say these upgrades were always in the works and were in no way a reaction to the construction of the proposed data center.
As far as the effect on rates, the study emphasizes a number of times that the project will not increase water, sewer, or electricity rates for existing customers. If FMU decided to adjust rates for electricity in the future, it would be taken up with the State Utility Commission, just like other big new industry customers.
FMU’s overall conclusion is this: The utilities in Frankfort can support the data center without negatively impacting Frankfort residents and without forcing existing rate-payers to underwrite infrastructure costs, which must be taken care of by the developer. This report is not about approval of projects but only about whether the facilities can support these projects. The answer is yes, according to FMU.