The wastewater treatment system in Cheyenne, Wyoming, was contaminated by a rare hazardous bacterium known as Cupriavidus gilardii, which was traced back to industrial runoff linked to the construction of a Meta* data center. This contamination triggered a months-long cleanup and investigation, prompting the city’s utility board to temporarily halt the acceptance of industrial wastewater from the data center’s facilities.
The incident was attributed to Goat Systems LLC, the contractor overseeing the construction of the data center, which carries a price tag of roughly $800 million. The Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities (BOPU) cited “significant non-compliance” with the city’s regulations on pre-treatment of industrial wastewater.
The bacterium Cupriavidus gilardii was first identified in February during a routine wastewater analysis initially aimed at detecting fecal bacterial contamination. Frank Strong, head of the BOPU’s engineering and water division, noted that the city does not typically test for this microorganism, as its presence in sewage systems is considered highly unusual.
Cupriavidus gilardii is a rare, drug-resistant bacterium. While infections are extremely uncommon in healthy individuals, they can become severe in patients with weakened immune systems. According to a study published in the journal Infectious Disease Reports, the mortality rate from such infections can exceed 30%.
Notably, the bacterium was not found in Cheyenne’s drinking water supply—only the city’s wastewater was affected. Experts believe this explains why no infections have been reported among residents. The main fallout from the incident revolved around disruptions to the city’s wastewater treatment facilities and the need for an extended remediation process.
The case unfolds against a backdrop of growing scrutiny over the environmental impact of data centers, which are being rapidly built to support advances in artificial intelligence. A Gallup poll found that 71% of Americans oppose the construction of new AI data centers near their homes, with primary concerns being environmental risks and water consumption.
Large data centers can consume up to 5 million gallons of water per day for equipment cooling—a volume comparable to the usage of a small town with a population of up to 50,000. Moreover, residents in areas hosting such facilities are increasingly voicing worries about added strain on the power grid, potential hikes in electricity costs, and noise from cooling systems and backup generators.
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