Data Center Water Siphon Controversy
A data center project secretly drained millions of gallons of water over months before residents noticed and complained, leading to official inaction.
May 2026
Data center used 30 million gallons of water unnoticed
Residents in Georgia discovered a data center had consumed nearly 30 million gallons of water. The water usage occurred without the utility company's initial knowledge or billing.
Source ↗AI data center project siphoned 29 million gallons of water
An AI data center project utilized 29 million gallons of water. This water usage occurred over a period of 15 months. The excessive usage was eventually detected by local residents.
Source ↗Utility officials investigated data center water hookups
County utility officials investigated the data center campus near downtown Atlanta. They discovered two industrial-scale water hookups feeding the site. One connection was installed without the utility's knowledge.
Source ↗AI data center used unauthorized water connections
An AI data center project was documented to have drawn approximately 29 million gallons of water over a period of 15 months. This usage occurred through two water connections that the local county was unaware of.
Source ↗Data center drained 30M gallons of water unnoticed
A data center drained 30 million gallons of water. The depletion was noted after local residents complained about reduced water pressure.
Source ↗AI data center project siphoned water for 15 months
An AI data center project reportedly siphoned 29 million gallons of water. This depletion was detected following complaints from residents regarding low water pressure.
Source ↗Fayette County opting not to fine company
Fayette County opted not to fine QTS despite unauthorized connections. Vanessa Tigert stated the decision was made because QTS is the county's largest customer, requiring partnership.
Source ↗QTS claimed 9 to 15 months of unmetered water use
QTS disputed the duration of the unmetered water use, claiming the period was between nine and fifteen months. The county's director, Vanessa Tigert, estimated the unmetered period to be about four months.
Source ↗Officials refused to fine data center project
Officials declined to impose a fine related to the water usage controversy. This decision was made following the reports of water depletion.
Source ↗Data center used 29 million gallons of water secretly
An AI data center project reportedly drew approximately 29 million gallons of water. This usage occurred over a period of 15 months before residents detected the issue due to low water pressure.
Source ↗Data center siphoned water before detection
An AI data center project reportedly sucked 29 million gallons of water. This usage occurred over a period of 15 months. Residents detected the issue due to low water pressure.
Source ↗Data center used water without billing, causing resident complaints
A data center was reported to have used 29 million gallons of water. This usage occurred while local residents were experiencing low water pressure.
Source ↗Data center used 29 million gallons of water without a bill
A data center utilized 29 million gallons of water. This usage occurred without an associated billing record, coinciding with low water pressure complaints from residents.
Source ↗Data center used water without billing
A data center reportedly utilized 29 million gallons of water. This usage occurred while residents complained about low water pressure.
Source ↗Investigation reveals data center water usage
An investigation revealed that a data center drained 30 million gallons of water. This usage occurred without reporting or payment.
Source ↗Investigation reveals data center water siphon incident
An investigation revealed that a data center drained 30 million gallons of water. This draining occurred without proper reporting or payment for the usage.
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