Meta's AI Campus in Wyoming Tainted Water System Before Microsoft Moved In

Meta's $800 million AI campus in Wyoming has been at the center of controversy after it was discovered that subcontractors had routed over 800,000 gallons of bacteria-laced wastewater into Cheyenne's reclaimed water system. The wastewater, which came from the facility's cooling system, contained a rare and potentially hazardous bacterium called Cupriavidus gilardii.

The contamination was first detected in early 2026 during routine sampling of the reclaimed water system. When it became public, Cheyenne's Board of Public Utilities cited Meta for 'serious noncompliance' and revoked its discharge privileges indefinitely, levying a $10,000 fine on the project.

Just one week later, Senator Cynthia Lummis sold her land to Microsoft for another data center project in the area. The sale involved roughly 3,500 acres of land, which was annexed by the city council shortly after, despite concerns from residents about the potential impact on their community.