QTS faces outrage over 29 million gallons of unaccounted-for water
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · May 9
QTS faces outrage over 29 million gallons of unaccounted-for water
9 articles · Updated · POLITICO · May 9
Fayette County billed the data centre developer $147,474 retroactively, said the use likely spanned months during a smart-meter rollout, and confirmed no fines were imposed.
QTS said it has paid and blamed temporary construction demand and metering issues; officials said the meters are now integrated, but residents criticised conservation appeals made during drought conditions.
The partly operational 615-acre Fayetteville campus is planned for up to 16 buildings, while opposition to data centres has grown in Georgia and Fayetteville last month banned new ones citywide.
As AI's thirst for water grows, can communities afford the true environmental cost of new data centers?
When a data center uses 30 million unmetered gallons, is waiving fines good service or a betrayal of public trust?
Will waterless cooling tech arrive in time to save the data center industry from a growing public rebellion?