City says stop-work order fell through cracks before massive El Reno water leak at Bitcoin facility
An illegally operating Bitcoin mining data center in El Reno, Oklahoma, leaked 3.8 million gallons of water, leading to its condemnation by the city. El Reno officials admitted a 2023 stop-work order for the facility was not enforced due to communication failures and staff changes. The city plans to bill Athlon BT, the company behind the facility, for the water and related expenses, with a public nuisance abatement hearing scheduled for September 14.
El Reno, Oklahoma, officials revealed that a Bitcoin mining facility operating illegally in the city was responsible for a massive 3.8 million-gallon water leak. The data center, owned by Athlon BT, was condemned by the city after the leak was discovered. El Reno leaders announced that the city's water system has returned to normal following the incident.
City Manager Ken Brown admitted that a stop-work order issued for the property in 2023 was not properly enforced, citing a lack of communication and staff turnover as reasons for the oversight. Mayor Steve Jensen assured the public that taxpayers would not bear the cost, as the city intends to bill Athlon BT for the water, manpower, and loss of school resources.
The city is currently determining the total charges for Athlon BT. A public nuisance abatement hearing for the property has been scheduled for September 14, indicating ongoing legal actions against the facility. In response to the enforcement failure, City Manager Brown stated that the city is implementing new technologies to detect leaks faster and improving inter-departmental communication to prevent similar incidents.