Quality Technology Services (QTS) has firmly denied allegations that it misappropriated water resources in Fayette County, Georgia. The company asserts that claims of improper water use are “categorically false,” attributing the situation instead to what it describes as a “billing mistake.” This billing error, QTS states, has since been rectified, and outstanding charges have been settled.
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Concerns about water usage arose when residents of Annelise Park identified a decrease in their water pressure. In response, local authorities conducted an investigation, which revealed that two connections linked to the QTS Fayetteville Data Center, situated approximately 20 miles south of Atlanta, had been mismanaged. Reports indicate that one connection was established without the knowledge of the local utility, while the other was incorrectly attached to the QTS account.
The findings revealed that QTS had utilised nearly 30 million gallons of water without compensating for it initially. This issue became public knowledge when a resident obtained a letter from the Fayette County Water System through a public records request. The correspondence mentioned a retroactive charge of $147,474, although the specifics regarding the duration of the unbilled usage were not disclosed. Despite the significant volume of water consumed, it appears that QTS faced no fines or penalties. Vanessa Tigert from the Fayette County Water System acknowledged the company’s status as the largest customer, describing the relationship as a partnership that necessitates diplomacy.
In a recent interview, QTS reiterated its stance, claiming the allegations of improper water use are unfounded and maintaining that the company acted in accordance with regulations. The Fayette County authorities noted that while transitioning to a modern water metering system, discrepancies in the connection status of some meters to the new digital system became apparent. QTS and the County worked collaboratively to address the billing and tracking issues as soon as they were identified.
Once the problems were resolved, QTS was billed according to a construction rate of $6.46 per 1,000 gallons, double the standard retail price, with the company responding promptly to pay the amount due. Fayette County assured residents that all meters are now properly linked to the updated system, enhancing the accuracy of water billing and usage monitoring.
The company explained that the substantial water usage was temporary and primarily attributed to construction activities. It has indicated that, once operational, the facility will employ a closed-loop cooling system, which will not require additional water for cooling purposes. Future water demands are expected to be limited predominantly to employee facilities, akin to the consumption of four average households per year.
QTS is working towards the completion of the data centre by 2029. Recent data from the company suggests that the daily average water usage for the project over the past year amounts to less than 1% of the total water output from the county’s water system. QTS has expressed ongoing commitment to sustainability efforts, including exploring conservation strategies such as rainwater harvesting and stormwater management.
Fayette County has also reassured the public that QTS is permitted to extract 22.8 million gallons of water per day but is currently using about 17.3 million gallons. The local authorities have maintained that the project does not negatively affect residential water pressure and that there are no groundwater wells within the county’s water system.
The spotlight on QTS and similar data centre projects intensified particularly after Georgia declared a drought in April, leading to increased awareness regarding water conservation among residents. The county’s water system has urged consumers to limit outdoor water use to two days per week in light of the ongoing drought conditions.
The local government has reiterated the importance of responsible water management, emphasising the need for open communication with QTS. Monthly meetings between QTS representatives and county officials aim to foster coordination and swiftly address any emerging concerns related to water resource management.
With Georgia housing 213 data centres, the situation in Fayette County has sparked a broader dialogue on the implications of such facilities in relation to local water resources and community impacts.