Georgia community confronts drought fallout as data center drains 30 million gallons
TL;DR
Residents of Fayetteville, Ga., are furious after a Quality Technology Services data center reportedly drained about 29–30 million gallons of water during a drought, due to two industrial hookups that were billed inconsistently and one installed without notice. The county says a smart-meter upgrade caused a billing lapse, and the company has paid retroactive charges, while officials defend the project and residents call for greater accountability and oversight amid ongoing drought restrictions.
- Georgians outraged after data center drains 30M gallons of water amid drought conditions: report New York Post
- A data center drained 30M gallons of water unnoticed — until residents complained about low water pressure Politico
- Behind Fayette’s QTS Water Controversy: A Missed Meter, 8,000 Workers and a Massive Construction Project Peachtree City Citizen
- AI data center project secretly sucked 29 million gallons of water over 15 months before detected by residents complaining about low water pressure — officials refuse to fine builders of massive 6.2 million-square-foot facility over unauthorized water use Tom's Hardware
- Data center guzzled 30 million gallons of water and nobody noticed for months Ars Technica
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