Rare Bacteria Traced to Meta Data Center in Wyoming
A rare bacteria discovered during routine testing of Cheyenne's reclaimed water system has been traced to wastewater from the construction of Meta's "Project Cosmo" AI data center in Wyoming. Following a months-long investigation, local officials identified the facility's construction activities as the source of the contamination, leading them to revoke its wastewater discharge privileges and introduce stricter rules for future data center projects.
The bacteria, known as Cupriavidus gilardii, is naturally found in soil and groundwater but is rarely detected in municipal water systems. While infections are uncommon, medical researchers classify it as an opportunistic pathogen capable of causing serious lung and bloodstream infections, particularly in people with weakened immune systems.
The discovery did not affect Cheyenne's drinking water supply. Instead, the contamination was found within the city's reclaimed water network, which treats wastewater for reuse in irrigating public parks, green spaces, and other non-drinking purposes.
Even so, local officials moved quickly after identifying the source. The irrigation program was temporarily shut down while crews drained, disinfected, and tested the system. According to the Board of Public Utilities, the cleanup process took roughly two months before irrigation services resumed at the end of June.
Health concerns centered on how reclaimed water is used rather than the water itself. Because irrigation systems spray water into the air, officials worried that bacteria could become aerosolized and potentially inhaled by people nearby. Experts noted that while infections from Cupriavidus gilardii are extremely rare, the potential consequences can be severe in vulnerable individuals.
The incident has also resulted in broader policy changes. Cheyenne officials permanently revoked the project's ability to discharge construction wastewater into the city's system and approved new restrictions targeting wastewater disposal practices associated with certain types of data centers.
Meta stated that its contractor immediately stopped wastewater discharges after being notified of the contamination. The company also said independent testing conducted afterward did not detect the bacteria. According to Meta, Fortis began transporting wastewater offsite while working with local authorities to address the issue.
The exact origin of the bacteria within the construction site remains unclear. Officials have confirmed that the pathogen was found in wastewater linked to the project, but investigators have not publicly identified how it entered the system in the first place.
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