Meta is building one of the world’s largest artificial intelligence data centers in Richland Parish, Louisiana, a project so massive it will cover an area equivalent to 70 football fields. The $10 billion facility is part of the company’s effort to supercharge its AI infrastructure and cement its place in the race for computing power. But while the project is being hailed as a technological marvel, it is also stirring unease among communities near similar sites, where residents claim water contamination has already become a grim reality.
In Newton County, Georgia, where Meta constructed a $750 million data center in 2018, families say their tap water has become cloudy, sediment-filled, and in some cases unsafe to drink. One couple described how their appliances were destroyed by the water quality issues, leaving them with only a single functioning bathroom. The story has led to growing concern that other areas hosting Meta’s mega facilities may face the same risks. As one resident put it, “We’re scared to drink our own water.”
Meta, however, insists its Louisiana project will avoid these problems. According to the company, the site will not rely on local groundwater and will instead pull water from sources over ten miles away. The facility is expected to use advanced cooling methods, rainwater capture, and recycling systems to limit consumption and reduce its environmental footprint. The company also highlights its commitment to preserving natural vegetation around the site to minimize irrigation demands.
Still, questions remain. Critics argue that the sheer size of the Louisiana data center makes it difficult to believe the environmental impact will be negligible. Others raise concerns about the cost of new infrastructure, particularly the billions of dollars in power upgrades being developed by utility partners to support the project. With taxpayers and ratepayers potentially on the hook if costs spiral, some worry the economic risks could outweigh the benefits.
On the other side, state leaders have praised the investment as “transformational.” The project is projected to bring 5,000 construction jobs, 500 permanent positions, and hundreds of millions in infrastructure improvements to the region. For many in local government, the promise of long-term economic growth makes the project too big to pass up.
The opening of Meta’s Louisiana hub will test whether massive AI infrastructure can coexist with environmental safeguards. As the data center rises, residents elsewhere are watching closely, wondering if this bold step into the AI future will come at the cost of something as basic as clean water.
