Officials in Cheyenne, Wyoming, have introduced stricter wastewater regulations after a contractor working for Meta's controversial new AI data centre flushed water contaminated with a rare bacterium into the public sewer system. The incident, which came to light during routine testing in February, involved Cupriavidus gilardii, a naturally occurring but opportunistic pathogen.
The Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities (BOPU) permanently revoked Meta's authorisation to discharge waste into the city's water treatment facilities, where water is recycled for irrigation in parks and public spaces. A new policy now prohibits wastewater discharges from data centres using closed-loop cooling systems and fill-and-flush systems, which are used to remove debris during construction.
Meta, which is owned by Mark Zuckerberg, said it acted immediately to stop the discharge and hired an independent environmental specialist to conduct its own tests, which found no trace of the bacterium. The company emphasised that drinking water supplies were not affected and that it is committed to being a good neighbour. Cupriavidus gilardii is considered harmful only to individuals with weakened immune systems; only seven human infections have been reported globally.
The contamination has intensified public opposition to the massive data centre, known as Project Cosmo, which already faced criticism over its high water and energy consumption. The city has scheduled a press conference to address the matter, but has declined further comment in the meantime.
