Meta Data Center Pollutes Cheyenne Water Supply

Officials in Cheyenne, Wyoming, have identified a Meta data center campus as the source of contamination in the city's recycled water system. A contractor's discharge introduced a rare bacterium, Cupriavidus gilardii, into the system used for irrigation. The Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities emphasized that the city's drinking water supply was not compromised. The bacteria were detected during wastewater sampling in February. Remediation efforts included draining and disinfecting the reuse water system and a local pond. Affected irrigation systems were temporarily switched to potable water supplies. The incident led to the revocation of the contractor's industrial discharge privileges. Meta stated it is working with its general contractor to resolve the issue, with the contractor asserting their own water testing found no trace of the substance. The board has temporarily halted all industrial water discharge from data centers. This situation occurs amid broader debate over the environmental impact of data centers, with critics raising concerns about water resources and quality of life, while proponents cite economic benefits and technological advancement.