US datacenters face further backlash over wastewater pollution

> When officials in Wyoming conducted a routine test on the water that was being discharged from a massive under-construction Meta datacenter, it was a shock to find it contained a rare and potentially hazardous bacterium. > > While the wastewater flushed into sewers [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/08/meta-datacenter-ai-wyoming-water] in Cheyenne, Wyoming, was never destined for the public drinking supply, the presence of Cupriavidus gilardii bacterium in 801,000 gallons of water ejected by a contractor for the datacenter earlier this year was still unnerving. > > Concerned that residents could be exposed to the bacteria if they inhaled evaporating droplets of the water used for irrigation, Cheyenne officials took until July before deciding [https://www.cheyennebopu.org/files/assets/bopu/v/1/user-resources-division-documents/administration/press-releases/2026/timeline.pdf] to stop taking wastewater from Meta’s contractor, Goat Systems – a decision that is now being appealed. > >