Data Centers Now Facing Backlash Over Contaminated Wastewater
This story was originally published by The Guardian and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. When officials in Wyoming conducted a routine test on the water that was being discharged from a massive under-construction Meta data center, it was a shock to find it contained a rare and potentially hazardous bacterium. While the wastewater flushed into sewers in […]
Officials in Wyoming discovered a rare bacterium, Cupriavidus gilardii, in wastewater discharged from a Meta data center under construction. Though the water was not intended for human consumption, concerns arose that residents could inhale evaporating droplets containing the bacteria, leading Cheyenne officials to stop wastewater from Meta's contractor, Goat Systems, in July and subsequently appeal the decision.
Meta's spokesman claimed independent testing found no evidence of the bacterium and questioned the validity of the city's tests. The incident highlights the growing concerns over data centers' impact on local water resources and the presence of pollutants in wastewater.
Concerns over data centers' water usage and wastewater have been rising across the US. In Virginia, data centers have faced enforcement actions for wastewater and wetland violations, while a data center in West Virginia has flooded surrounding houses due to stormwater runoff. Activists have campaigned against the discharge of heated water from an upcoming data center into Lake Seneca, New York.
The Waterkeeper Alliance, representing 55 affiliated groups across the US, is working on data center-related issues, with 80 percent of their campaigns focused on pollutants leaching into the environment through discharged water.
PFAS, or "forever chemicals," found in wastewater from data centers, have been linked to various health problems. While data centers require large amounts of water for cooling and cleaning purposes, the industry argues that their water use is minimal compared to other industries. However, critics argue that the lack of information on the contents of wastewater remains an issue.
Written by urgent.news from Mother Jones's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
