The Megasite Authority Board will hear and possibly vote on a Wellhead Protection Zoning Overlay District - answering the call from communities around the site to protect our groundwater from industrial contamination. The ordinance would require companies across the whole site - not just Ford - to report what hazardous materials they have, prove they have measures that reduce the likelihood of spills and leaks, and give the Megasite the authority to add more spill prevention measures before building approval.
The strictest regulations are around the wells, but for a zone smaller than what we had aimed for due to how much pumping is expected when BlueOval is fully operational. There is room for improvement and we can make the case now and/or continue building strategies and momentum for policies that protect our region’s drinking water source while allowing economic development.
The world's largest supercomputer is running in Memphis, TN. xAI will require up to 5 million gallons of water per day in an area threatened with arsenic pollution and fragile water infrastructure. POA does not support using our drinking water supply to cool computers. The company has applied for a permit to build and operate a water recycling facility that would keep xAI & TVA off of our aquifer.
Did you know Shelby County is only place in TN with a Groundwater Board? No new aquifer protection programs have been established since the Groundwater Board was created in the late 1980s. We're on a mission to rebuild this board and need the community involved! The well permit fees will be finalized in the September 11 Board meeting - we need you there!
