QTS Data Center Used 30M Gallons Unbilled in GA Drought

Residents in Fayette County, Georgia, discovered last week that a major data center campus operated by Quality Technology Services had used nearly 30 million gallons of water without paying for it initially, amid a statewide drought that prompted conservation orders for households.

The issue surfaced after complaints of low water pressure in the Annelise Park subdivision near Fayetteville, about 20 miles south of Atlanta. Utility officials investigated and found two industrial-scale water hookups at the 6.2 million-square-foot QTS facility. One connection was installed without the utility's knowledge, and the other was not linked to the company's account, preventing billing. The usage, equivalent to about 44 Olympic-size swimming pools, exceeded limits set during the project's planning process and occurred over several months last year, primarily during construction activities such as concrete pouring, dust control and site preparation.

On May 15, 2025, the Fayette County Water System sent QTS a letter demanding payment of $147,474. The company, owned by Blackstone, settled the bill with no additional fines or penalties. The matter became public recently when local attorney...