#How Did a Data Center Evade Water Usage Monitoring in Fayette County?
A significant issue has emerged in Fayette County, Georgia, where residents were urged to conserve water amid a state of drought emergency. Ironically, a nearby data center, owned by Quality Technology Services and backed by private equity firm Blackstone, was found consuming approximately 30 million gallons of water without any metering in place. This situation unfolded during a 15-month construction period for the facility known as Project Excalibur.
When county officials finally addressed the oversight, they determined that QTS owed a total of $147,474 in retroactive payments for the unmetered water usage. This resulted in a surprisingly low charge of approximately $0.005 per gallon, significantly less than the rates local residents are paying for their water.
#What Caused the Metering Failure?
The lack of oversight regarding the data center's water usage was not the result of any underhanded tactics or corporate malfeasance; rather, it stemmed from a procedural error. County officials attributed this oversight to complications that occurred while shifting to a cloud-based metering system, which resulted in the data center's water consumption not being monitored during the transition.
#Why Was There No Penalty for QTS?
Given the unusual circumstances surrounding the metering failure, Fayette County decided against imposing any fines on QTS. Instead, the company was requested to settle payment for the retroactive charges at the discounted rate. This decision has sparked discussions about the responsibilities of large corporations in resource conservation, especially during declared emergencies.
#What's the Broader Context of Data Centers in Georgia?
As of now, Georgia is home to over 200 data centers, ranking it among the most concentrated markets for these facilities in the United States. The state actively encourages data center development through various tax incentives and streamlined approval processes. As these data centers continue to proliferate, attention is needed on their impact on local resources and water management, especially in areas experiencing recurring drought conditions.