
Metering Glitch Lets Georgia Data Center Run Up 29 Million Gallons Unbilled
A Fayette County metering lapse let a QTS data-center campus use more than 29 million gallons without billing during a transition to cloud-based meters; retroactive charges of about $147,474 have been issued and paid, with unbilled usage estimated at 4–15 months. The company says the spike was construction-related, and the completed campus will rely on a closed-loop cooling system with minimal long-term water use. The episode has intensified concerns about drought, residential-water pressure, and the growth of data centers, prompting local bans on new centers while officials note the economic potential.






