Unmetered Water Use At Massive AI Data Center Sparks Outrage In Georgia

A significant discrepancy in water utility oversight has surfaced in Fayette County, Georgia, involving a massive data center project managed by Quality Technology Services (QTS). Investigations revealed that the facility, known as “Project Excalibur,” consumed approximately 29 million gallons of water through unauthorized, unmetered connections over a period lasting between 9 and 15 months.

Discovery and Institutional Response

The issue came to light following complaints from local residents regarding unusually low water pressure, occurring simultaneously with county-wide requests for water conservation due to drought conditions. A subsequent investigation by the Fayette County Water System identified two undocumented connections at the 615-acre campus.

Despite the unauthorized usage, county officials opted not to levy fines against QTS, the Blackstone-owned developer. Vanessa Tigert, the county’s water system director, cited a desire to maintain a “partnership” with the facility, which is the county’s largest utility customer. Tigert also attributed the delayed detection to staffing shortages and a departmental transition to a cloud-based metering system. QTS has since paid $147,474 in retroactive charges to cover the consumed volume.

Project Scope and Environmental Context

The Fayetteville campus is one of the largest data center developments in the United States. Key project details include:

• Total Scale: 13 existing buildings totaling 6.2 million square feet, with plans for 16 buildings total.
• Investment: An estimated $1 billion total investment.
• Revenue: Projected annual property tax revenue between $150 million and $200 million.

QTS maintains that the 29 million gallons were used for temporary construction needs, such as dust control and concrete work. The company asserts that once operational, the facility will utilize a “closed-loop” cooling system to minimize municipal water reliance.

Legislative and Regulatory Shifts

The incident follows a broader trend of increased scrutiny regarding data center infrastructure in Georgia. Earlier this year, Fayetteville passed Ordinance 26-0-12, banning new data centers across all zoning districts. This reflects a growing national movement, with approximately 50 U.S. cities currently maintaining moratoriums or bans on such facilities due to concerns over resource allocation and utility costs.

Filed in Green. Read more about AI (Artificial Intelligence), Datacenters and Eco (environment).