Data center company promises to replace Turkey’s aging water tower
QTS, a company building a data center near Turkey, Texas, has pledged $250 million towards Texas water infrastructure, including replacing the town's aging water tower. This commitment addresses Turkey's long-standing water system failures. The data center will use its own wells for operational water and will not tap into the city's municipal lines.
QTS, a data center developer, has announced a $250 million investment in Texas water infrastructure, which includes replacing the aging water tower in Turkey, Texas. This commitment comes as QTS and Lancium are developing a 465-acre data center campus approximately five miles south of Turkey, a small town northeast of Lubbock. The town's water system, described as a century-old network with clay and cast-iron pipes, recently experienced critical failures, leaving residents without water and requiring boil notices.
Turkey City Manager Lynette Findley highlighted the urgency of the infrastructure upgrade, stating that the town had struggled to secure grants for a new water tower estimated to cost $3 million to $5 million. QTS Senior Vice President of Operations Ryan Kuithe explained that the company became aware of Hall County's infrastructure limitations during its planning phase and aims to be a beneficial part of the community.
Kuithe clarified that the data center's operational water needs, primarily for domestic use by its 350-plus onsite personnel, will be met by its own onsite wells and wastewater treatment plant, not by tapping into the city's municipal water lines. Construction water is being brought in from elsewhere. While a few residents have left due to the changes brought by the data center, City Manager Findley noted that most community members are supportive, recognizing the opportunity to improve the town's infrastructure.
In addition to water infrastructure, QTS is funding the power infrastructure required for its site, and the city is discussing road infrastructure improvements due to increased truck traffic. Findley emphasized the town's pragmatic approach: "We can either pretend they don’t exist, or we can use what they’re offering…and make Turkey better."