A tech giant promised a bright future in Wyoming. Now, a rare and deadly germ has been traced to its site.
Meta's $800 million data center in Cheyenne lost its wastewater privileges after officials found a dangerous bacterium in the sewer.
When a big tech company builds next door, neighbors hope for jobs and growth. But an invisible threat in the pipes can quickly turn that excitement into worry.
What Happened
In late February, city workers in Cheyenne, Wyoming, did a routine water test. They found a rare germ in the public wastewater. This germ is usually harmless to healthy people, but it can kill those with weak immune systems.
Officials traced the germ to a contractor working on Meta’s new $800 million data center. The contractor was washing out the center's huge cooling pipes. The city quickly stopped the company from putting any more water into the sewer.
Meta says its main contractor stopped dumping water right away. They are now hauling the dirty water away in trucks. Meta also said its own private tests did not find the germ.
Fact Box
- $800 million: The cost of Meta's new 715,000-square-foot data center in Cheyenne.
- 10 deaths: The number of known deaths worldwide linked to this rare family of bacteria.
- Zero: The amount of drinking water polluted by this spill.
- February 2024: When the city first found the germ in the wastewater.
Why It Matters
The bad water did not touch the city's drinking water. But it did mess up the recycled water system, which takes months to clean. This recycled water is what the city uses to water local parks and grass.
Data centers across the country face more attention today. They use massive amounts of local water and power to keep computer systems cool. Some facilities use as much water as 1,000 homes.
What Happens Next
The city took away Meta's permit to dump this water into the sewer. Now, the company must truck the water offsite. Meta says it wants to be a good neighbor and will work with local leaders.
The data center is still set to open next year. But local officials say the spill was a very bad surprise.
What We Still Don't Know
- Where did the rare germ come from?
- How much will the cleanup cost local taxpayers?
- Will this issue delay the opening of the center?
Transparency notes
Published: Jul 9, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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Sources
External source links were not provided in this article body. Our editors reference publicly available materials and update stories as new verified information arrives.