EPA investigating noise complaints at Dublin data centre

Residents near a new data centre in Clondalkin say a persistent low-frequency hum has disrupted their sleep, prompting an investigation by Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency.

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I just remember hearing this buzzing noise. To be honest, at the start I thought I was going a bit crazy.

Aaron Jeffrey, who lives about 2.5 kilometres from the Echelon DUB10 facility, said he initially thought the buzzing came from inside his home. He began recording it after several sleepless nights and concluded that it likely came from the local data centre.

Jeffrey said the sound penetrated doors, blinds, shutters and window vents. Other people in a local Facebook group said they also felt they were “going insane” because some family members could not hear the noise. He said he had bought earplugs and moved his bed, but found little relief.

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It’s this kind of low-frequency hum that just seems to intercept through any material. It doesn’t matter if you close the doors, the blinds, the shutters, the vents on top of the windows. It’s just constant as well.

Echelon says it commissioned external acoustic consultants after receiving complaints and removed a generator used by contractors outside working hours. The company said a new investigation began at the site this week, while the EPA’s inquiry remains under way.

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I understand the data centres have to be built, and we should have objected when it went in but unfortunately we can’t do that now. I have no problem with data centres being built, but they can’t disturb the locals and I truly believe they shouldn’t be built in residential areas.