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Ars Technica
Data center guzzled 30 million gallons of water and nobody noticed for months
In Fayette County, Georgia, a Quality Technology Services (QTS) data center went unnoticed for months while using nearly 30 million gallons of water without being billed. The county, transitioning from outdated meters to a smart system, was understaffed and failed to monitor two industrial hookups—one installed without the utility's knowledge. Despite drought restrictions on residents, the county declined to fine QTS, its largest customer, citing partnership and customer service. The incident reveals systemic weaknesses in water management as data center construction booms in water-stressed regions. It raises questions about regulatory oversight and the true cost of digital infrastructure.
MonitorConfidence: HighImmediate horizonReputational risk: High
Published 11 May 2026, 20:55 UTC1 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- QTS data center used 29.7 million gallons of water without billing over several months.
- Two water connections were unmonitored: one unknown to the utility, one not linked to an account.
- Residents faced drought restrictions and water pressure drops during the period.
- County water system director Vanessa Tigert blamed understaffing and outdated meters.
- QTS paid $150,000 after discovery but faced no fines for exceeding peak limits.
- County declined to penalize QTS, calling it 'customer service'.
- Transition to smart, cloud-based water meters failed to catch the usage.
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