Georgia Data Center Water Incident Prompts Scrutiny of Cheyenne Developments

A recent incident in Georgia, where a data center operated by Quality Technology Services (QTS) reportedly drew 30 million gallons of water without proper monitoring, has sparked significant alarm in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Cheyenne is currently considering over 70 data center projects, prompting residents like Heather Madrid to circulate a petition for a moratorium on new developments. Madrid criticizes the lack of transparency from tech companies and warns of long-term consequences for Cheyenne's water supply, housing market, and local economy. Cheyenne city leaders, including Ward I Councilman Larry Wolfe and Mayor Patrick Collins, contend that Cheyenne's robust water monitoring systems and mandates for closed-loop cooling systems in new data centers would prevent such an incident. Wolfe specifically highlighted the Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities' sophisticated monitoring. Mayor Collins noted that current data center water use in Cheyenne is only about 1.5% of the city's total. However, Laramie County farmer Cody Smith expressed concern over dropping aquifer levels, particularly in an arid state like Wyoming which is currently experiencing significant drought. While not supporting a moratorium, Smith emphasized the finite nature of Wyoming's water and the need for data centers to acquire existing water rights. State Representative Daniel Singh, R-Cheyenne, underscored the state's constitutional responsibility to steward water resources, noting Cheyenne's unique connection to the Colorado River Basin. He called for special attention to data center water use from Wyoming legislators.