The Information · Microsoft · Google · Meta · Data Center · Ars Technica
Data center guzzled 30 million gallons of water and nobody noticed for months
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A curious case in Georgia serves as a warning for many parts of the US hastily approving data center developments without first updating their water systems to better monitor for severe upticks in usage.
Key facts
- About 4,000 residents paid about $15 each to file notices of opposition to block that request, the Salt Lake Tribune reported
- In Utah, one hyperscale data center in Box Elder County withdrew an application to transfer 1,900 acre-feet of water from a ranch to their facility
- James Clifton, an attorney and property rights advocate who first exposed the QTS controversy after submitting a public records request, told Politico that he’s upset that QTS will face no consequences simply because “most months” they’re the county’s “No. 1 customer
- QTS eventually paid about $150,000 for the water, but there were no consequences for exceeding peak limits established by the county during the data center planning process
Summary
On Friday, Politico reported that one of the country’s biggest data center developments had guzzled nearly 30 million gallons of water without paying for it. An investigation conducted by utility officials in Georgia’s Fayette County found that the Quality Technology Services (QTD) facility had two industrial-scale water hookups that weren’t being monitored. QTS eventually paid about $150,000 for the water, but there were no consequences for exceeding peak limits established by the county during the data center planning process. “They’re our largest customer, and we have to be partners,” Tigert said.