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The proposed site sits on top of one of the most prolific aquifers in the Midwest. As such, there is great interest from the County, the Town of New Carlisle, the Township and the Company in ensuring the aquifer is protected, and that development does not have a negative impact on that aquifer.
The permitted safe yield withdrawal from Kankakee Aquifer is 44.5 million-gallons-day (MGD). The Aquifer has a current use averaging 14.7 MGD, with a peak of 21.9 MGD, 50% of the maximum safe yield. Peak use occurs during the summertime due to irrigation. The removal of on-site irrigation wells for the recently approved solar project and the Ultium facility (should St. Joseph County be selected) will result in a decrease of water use to an average of 12.8 MGD to 17.4 MGD, 40% of the maximum safe yield.
- The solar project and Ultium facility parcels currently have 15 high-capacity irrigation wells using between 1.9 MGD to 3.8 MGD, these wells will be removed per county and health department requirement. Ultium anticipates a water need of 1.5 MGD and the solar project has no water use associated with it.
- Ultium will source their water directly from the New Carlisle Treatment plant and does not anticipate drawing any water from any wells on the site, except as may be needed during the construction of the site.
The design and operation of the Project includes the use of a water recirculating system at the most water intensive process (cooling tower make-up water) to improve water efficiency and reduce the overall water demand.
Monitoring
- Recognizing the importance and critical role of the aquifer to the community, the St. Joseph Energy Center (SJEC) has partnered with the Town to continuously monitor water quality from four on-site wells.
- Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) requires regular testing of raw and finished flow from the potable plant. In 2020, Indiana approved the Well Head Protection Program for the area. It should be noted the Program meets and exceeds the state and federal guidelines.
- Moving forward additional monitoring wells will be used to monitor ground water depth and water quality. Please visit the St. Joseph County website to view the IEC Environmental Reports including the Peerless Midwest Aquifer Reports.
Studies and Reports Completed
Aquifer
- 2015 Aquifer Performance, Modeling, and Drawdown Impact Assessment
- 2019 Hydrogeologic Background for Study and Planning Areas
- 2019 Hydrogeologic Background Analysis Summary
- 2016 – 2022 Long-term Monitoring Report
Water Treatment Plant
- Potable: Cleveland Cliffs and Town
- 2016 Existing Conditions and Improvements (St. Joseph County)
- 2021 Existing Conditions and Improvements (Cliffs)
- Non-potable: St. Joseph Energy Center (SJEC) and Town
Well Head Protection Area
- WHPA Phase 2 Delineation Update and Plan Report, IDEM approved in 2022.
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