Data center guzzled 30 million gallons of water and nobody noticed for months
Summary
Ars Technica reports that a major data center development in Fayette County, Georgia, consumed around 30 million gallons of water without paying, due to two unmonitored hookups. The county billed the operator about $150,000 and did not impose penalties, partly citing a partnership approach with its largest customer as a factor. The incident occurred amid a transition to smart water metering and ongoing staffing shortages, prompting broader discussion about water infrastructure, data-center growth, and potential regulatory or environmental reviews.