A peculiar case in Georgia serves as a stark warning for many parts of the US that are hastily approving data center developments without first updating their water systems to better monitor for severe upticks in usage.
Politico reported last Friday that one of the country’s largest data center developments, a Quality Technology Services (QTS) facility in Fayette County, Georgia, had reportedly guzzled nearly 30 million gallons of water without initially paying for it. Even worse, this significant water consumption occurred during a local drought when nearby residents were warned to restrict their personal water consumption, with some reporting sudden decreases in water pressure.
An investigation conducted by utility officials in Fayette County found that the QTS facility had two industrial-scale water hookups that were not being monitored. “One water connection had been installed without the utility’s knowledge, and the other was not linked to the company’s account and therefore wasn’t being billed,” Politico detailed.
QTS eventually paid about $150,000 for the water. However, despite exceeding peak limits established by the county during the data center planning process, there were no consequences for QTS. Frustrating residents, the county declined to fine QTS. Vanessa Tigert, Fayette County’s water system director, told Politico that the decision was partly because the county blamed itself and didn’t want to offend QTS. Tigert stated, “They’re our largest customer, and we have to be partners. It’s called customer service.”
Notably, a primary reason the water usage was overlooked is that the county is in the process of transitioning from outdated water meters to a smart, cloud-based system, which is intended to make it easier to track leaks and other unexpected drains on the county’s water system. Tigert also told Politico that the county failed to notice the water usage due to being understaffed, explaining that the only worker available to inspect meters is “spread pretty thin.”
Ultimately, the county dismissed QTS’s excess water usage as a “procedural mix-up,” Tigert said, retroactively charging QTS at a higher construction rate for the water but imposing no penalties for taking more water than the county expected.
When asked for comment, QTS told Ars Technica that it is “false and inaccurate” to suggest the facility “used any water improperly.” QTS stated, “Once this billing issue was flagged, QTS paid all charges. All water usage followed relevant and applicable regulations.” QTS also pointed to statements from county officials denying residents’ claims that the facility’s excess water usage had decreased water pressure across the county system.
