Cheyenne Officials Halt Wastewater Acceptance from Meta Data Center Contractor After Dangerous Bacteria Found
Wyoming authorities discovered a dangerous bacteria in 801,000 gallons of wastewater discharged from a Meta data center contractor. Cheyenne officials subsequently halted acceptance of the wastewater, a decision that is now under appeal, due to public health concerns.
Wyoming authorities identified a rare and potentially dangerous bacteria, Cupriavidus gilardii, in 801,000 gallons of wastewater discharged by Goat Systems, a contractor for a massive Meta data center under construction in Cheyenne. Although the wastewater was not intended for public drinking, the bacteria can cause severe bloodstream infections and pneumonia and is resistant to common antibiotics.
Cheyenne officials, concerned about potential public exposure through evaporating droplets from irrigation water, decided in July to stop accepting wastewater from Goat Systems. Yvonne Taylor, vice president of Seneca Lake Guardian and president of the National Coalition Against Crypto Mining, highlighted the severe health risks associated with the bacteria.
Meta has stated its commitment to being a "good neighbor" and protecting local water resources. However, the decision by Cheyenne officials to cease wastewater acceptance is currently being appealed.