Data center used 30 million gallons of water without initially paying

"An investigation conducted by utility officials in Georgia's Fayette County found that the Quality Technology Services (QTD) facility had two industrial-scale water hookups that weren't being monitored. "One water connection had been installed without the utility's knowledge, and the other was not linked to the company's account and therefore wasn't being billed," Politico reported."

"QTS eventually paid about $150,000 for the water, but there were no consequences for exceeding peak limits established by the county during the data center planning process. Frustrating residents, the county declined to fine QTS. Fayette County's water system director, Vanessa Tigert, told Politico that the decision was partly because the county blamed itself and didn't want to offend QTS."

""They're our largest customer, and we have to be partners," Tigert said. "It's called customer service." Notably, the main reason the water usage was overlooked is that the county is transitioning from outdated water meters to a smart, cloud-based system that is supposed to make it easier to track leaks and other unexpected drains on the county's water system."

"Tigert also told Politico that the county failed to notice the water usage because it's understaffed, explaining that the only worker available to inspect meters is "spread pretty thi"

A Georgia case shows how large data center projects can consume major water volumes without adequate monitoring. A Fayette County investigation found a Quality Technology Services facility had two industrial-scale water hookups that were not properly connected to utility oversight and billing. One hookup was installed without the utility’s knowledge, and the other was not linked to the company’s account, so charges were not applied. QTS later paid about $150,000, but no penalties were imposed despite peak limits set during planning. The county declined to fine the facility, citing a desire to maintain a partnership with its largest customer. Oversight gaps were worsened by a transition from outdated meters to a smart system and by understaffing for meter inspections.

Read at Ars Technica