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A Quality Technology Services (QTS) data center campus in Fayetteville, Georgia, consumed nearly 30 million gallons of unmetered water after two industrial hookups were either installed without utility knowledge or left unaccounted for during a smart‑meter conversion. Residents noticed low household water pressure, prompting an investigation that resulted in a $147,474 retroactive bill to QTS and integration of proper metering. The incident has intensified local opposition to large data centers over their water and energy demands, helping drive a Fayetteville moratorium on new data center construction amid drought concerns and strained infrastructure.
Unmetered large water draws at data centers can strain municipal supplies and spark regulatory and community backlash, affecting site approvals and operations. Tech professionals must account for resource impact, compliance, and local stakeholder risk when planning and operating facilities.
Dossier last updated: 2026-05-10 05:16:38
某数据中心悄无声息地耗用了3000万加仑的水——直到居民们抱怨水压过低 - Politico
Data center drains 30M gals of water — until residents complained of pressure
A large data center campus in Fayetteville, Georgia, used nearly 30 million gallons of unmetered water — prompting a $147,474 retroactive bill — after residents complained about low household water pressure. Fayette County utilities found two industrial connections feeding the Quality Technology Services (QTS) campus; one hookup had been installed without the utility’s knowledge and the other wasn’t linked to an account during a conversion to smart meters. QTS paid the retroactive charges and officials say meters are now integrated. The episode amplified local backlash over data centers’ heavy water and power demands, contributing to a recent Fayetteville ban on new data centers amid regional drought and infrastructure concerns.
&#32; submitted by &#32; <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/idkbruh653"> /u/idkbruh653 </a> <br/> <span><a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/08/georgia-data-centers-water-00909988">[link]</a></span> &#32; <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/1t8ppsh/a_data_center_drained_30m_gallons_of_water/">[comments]</a></span>