Data center guzzled 30 million gallons of water, and nobody noticed for months
The county said the data center used nearly 30 million gallons without billing, then paid the retroactive charge after officials corrected the meter issue.
- Residents in Fayette County, Georgia, discovered that Quality Technology Services consumed nearly 30 million gallons of water without initially paying for it, sparking outrage after the incident became public last week.
- Fayette County water system director Vanessa Tigert blamed the oversight on a procedural mix-up during the county's transition to cloud-based metering; QTS disputes this, claiming construction activities drove consumption and paid the $147,474 retroactive charge.
- The unaccounted-for usage totals 44 Olympic-size swimming pools, angering residents told to conserve water. Attorney and property rights advocate James Clifton noted the irony of locals facing restrictions while the facility drained supplies.
- In response to growing tensions, Fayetteville's City Council voted last month to ban new data centers in every zoning district within the city, addressing concerns about water consumption and infrastructure strain.
- Georgia hosts more than 200 data center facilities, prompting advocacy groups to urge Congress to reject fast-track permitting legislation as data centers consume up to 5 million gallons daily, straining drinking supplies and ecosystems.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Company behind Cedar Rapids data center used nearly 30 million gallons of water in Georgia without initially paying
An Iowa data center company is facing scrutiny in Georgia after a report found it used nearly 30 million gallons of water without initially paying for it.
How a Massive Data Center Drained 30 Million Gallons of Water While Georgia Families Suffered Amid Drought
Residents in an affluent Georgia subdivision thought they were doing their part during a statewide drought. They scaled back lawn watering, monitored showers, and heeded official pleas for conservation as wildfires raged. Then came the revelation: a sprawling data center campus had quietly consumed nearly 30 million gallons of water through unbilled pipes, the equivalent...
Georgians outraged after data center drains 30M gallons of water amid drought conditions: report
Residents of a suburban Georgia town were reportedly furious to discover a massive new data center had guzzled up 30 million gallons of water without initially paying for it – leaving members of the the populace with weak water pressure during a drought.
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