Meta's data center in Cheyenne, Wyoming has had its water discharge privileges suspended after contaminating the city's reclaimed water supply with the metal-resistant bacterium Cupriavidus gilardii. This bacterium disrupted two water reclamation plants, pushing the reuse system offline for months. The Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities revoked the discharge privileges of Meta's contractor, Goat Systems LLC, on March 24, extending the suspension to all data centers connected to city services.
During the fill-and-flush operations, the flush water was mistakenly routed to the city's sanitary sewer. Although this was not a routine test item, laboratory staff discovered the bacterium during regular sampling. The Board expressed concerns that the bacterium could pose an aerosol hazard during irrigation. While Cupriavidus gilardii is not a regulated contaminant, its discharge interfered with treatment, triggering violations under Cheyenne City Code and federal pretreatment rules.
Meta stated it supports its general contractor, Fortis, which has ceased discharging and started transporting wastewater offsite, with independent testing finding no traces of the substance. Testing at Dry Creek and Crow Creek facilities cleared by late June, and the reuse system is back online. Cheyenne City Councilman Pete Laybourn called the situation a very unpleasant surprise.
This incident not only highlights the potential environmental risks associated with data centers but also raises concerns over water usage in the rapidly expanding AI data center landscape. Compared to the closed-loop liquid cooling systems promoted by companies like Microsoft and Nvidia, Cheyenne's case emphasizes the need for environmental considerations in technology adoption.
Blogger's Review: This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ecological responsibilities that data centers must uphold. As AI technology proliferates, the management of water resources and environmental impact cannot be overlooked, necessitating the establishment of stricter monitoring and compliance systems to ensure public safety and environmental health.