Bacteria contamination found at Meta data center construction site in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Meta's "Project Cosmo" data center in Cheyenne, Wyoming, has been linked to a bacterial contamination in the city's reclaimed water irrigation system. The Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities traced the Cupriavidus gilardii bacteria back to the data center's construction site. Consequently, the city permanently revoked Meta's authorization to discharge wastewater from its fill-and-flush operations.
Meta's "Project Cosmo" data center in Cheyenne, Wyoming, has been linked to a bacterial contamination in the city's reclaimed water irrigation system, even before becoming operational. The Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities discovered Cupriavidus gilardii during routine sampling in February and, after a months-long investigation, traced its origin to the 715,000-square-foot facility under construction. The bacterium, while generally harmless to healthy individuals, can cause severe infections in immunocompromised people.
In response to the contamination, city officials permanently revoked Meta's authorization to discharge wastewater from its "fill-and-flush" operations into Cheyenne's treatment system. Meta spokesperson Francis Brennan stated the company is committed to being a good neighbor and is encouraging collaboration between the Board and its contractor, Fortis Construction, which stopped discharging wastewater upon notification. Officials clarified that the city's drinking water was not affected, but the incident disrupted the municipal reclaimed water system and necessitated months of cleanup.