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ProPakistani
Data Center Found Using Nearly 30 Million Gallons of Unaccounted Water With $150,000 Overdue Bills
A data center in Fayette County, Georgia, operated by Quality Technology Services (QTS), consumed nearly 30 million gallons of unaccounted water through unmetered connections, leading to a $147,474 retroactive charge from the county utility. The issue came to light after residents reported low water pressure. The utility said a procedural mix-up during the transition to smart meters caused the oversight. QTS paid the charge and attributed the water use to construction activities, not cooling. The incident underscores growing friction between data center expansion and local water resources, especially in residential areas with limited utility oversight. It also highlights the need for better metering and accountability as data center demand grows.
MonitorConfidence: MediumImmediate horizonReputational risk: High
Published 12 May 2026, 11:10 UTC2 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- QTS data center used 29 million+ gallons of unmetered water
- Residents complained about low water pressure, triggering investigation
- County utility issued a retroactive charge of $147,474
- QTS paid the charge; no fines or penalties were imposed
- Water use linked to construction, not ongoing cooling operations
- Utility cited procedural mix-up during smart meter transition
- Data center campus expected to continue construction for 3-5 years
Interesting facts
- The utility did not realize the connection point was not working due to limited staff and a cloud-based system transition