Georgia Data Center Faces Backlash for Excessive Water Use Amid Drought
Residents in Fayetteville, Georgia, are expressing outrage after discovering that a data center operated by Quality Technology Services (QTS) consumed 30 million gallons of water without initially paying for it. This incident occurred during a period of drought, leading to weak water pressure for local residents. A county investigation revealed that the data center had two industrial-scale water hookups, one of which was not reported to the local utility, and the other was not linked to QTS's account, resulting in unbilled water usage. QTS has since paid nearly $150,000 in retroactive charges. The situation has intensified as local officials have urged residents to conserve water amid a state of emergency declared by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp due to statewide droughts and wildfires. 
