Meta's Cheyenne Data Center Shut Down Over Bacterial Contamination
Meta's data center construction in Cheyenne, Wyoming, has been suspended after the facility's wastewater was found to contain a rare metal-resistant bacterium, Cupriavidus gilardii, contaminating the city's water supply. The company's contractor, Goat Systems LLC, has lost its fill-and-flush discharge privileges. The city's water reclamation system was offline for months due to the contamination.
Key points
- Meta's contractor, Goat Systems LLC, was found to be in significant noncompliance with water discharge regulations.
- The contamination was caused by a rare metal-resistant bacterium, Cupriavidus gilardii, found in the city's water supply.
- The city's water reclamation system was offline for months due to the contamination.
- Goat Systems LLC has lost its fill-and-flush discharge privileges, and all data centers connected to city services have been suspended.
- The origin of the bacterium remains unknown, but it was first detected in February during routine fecal-bacteria sampling.
Meta's data center construction in Cheyenne, Wyoming, has been suspended after the facility's wastewater was found to contain a rare metal-resistant bacterium, Cupriavidus gilardii. The contamination has affected the city's water supply, forcing the city's water reclamation system to be offline for months.
The contamination was discovered after the Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities traced the source of the bacterium to Goat Systems LLC, Meta's contractor for the data center project. The Board revoked Goat Systems' fill-and-flush discharge privileges on March 24, and a wider suspension has now been implemented for all data centers connected to city services.
The origin of the bacterium remains unknown, but it was first detected in February during routine fecal-bacteria sampling. The city's water reclamation system was offline for months due to the contamination, and the city's water supply was affected.
The incident highlights the importance of proper water management and regulation in the tech industry. As data centers continue to grow and expand, it is essential that companies prioritize environmental responsibility and adhere to strict regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Sources
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