Cheyenne lawmaker questions Meta over rare water contamination
PUBLISHED Jul 10, 2026, 2:30 PM ET
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CHEYENNE, Wyoming — U.S. Representative Harriet Hageman has opened a formal congressional inquiry into Meta Platforms after a rare bacterial contamination was traced to construction of the company’s new artificial intelligence data center in the city. The incident involves Cupriavidus gilardii, an extremely rare, highly metal‑resistant bacterium detected in Cheyenne’s municipal water reclamation system, which handles recycled wastewater. The Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities first found the pathogen during routine sampling in late February 2026, triggering a multi‑month shutdown and disinfection of the city’s reclaimed water infrastructure to prevent potential exposure. Following an extended investigation, utility engineers identified the source of the contamination as Goat Systems LLC, a Delaware‑registered contractor hired by Meta to build its $800 million, 715,000‑square‑foot “Project Cosmo” data center campus in south Cheyenne. Officials concluded that the bacterium entered the system during a fill‑and‑flush operation, in which municipal water was cycled through the facility’s industrial cooling pipes to clear debris and sediment. While generally harmless to healthy individuals, Cupriavidus gilardii can cause severe lung and blood infections in older adults and immunocompromised people; a March 2026 study documented only 32 confirmed human cases worldwide, including 10 deaths.
By Emily Rhodes | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- March 2026: Study reports 32 global Cupriavidus infections
- Late February 2026: Cheyenne wastewater sampling finds bacterium
- Following weeks: BOPU confirms Cupriavidus gilardii contamination
- Subsequent investigation: Source traced to Goat Systems
- During construction: Contractor performs cooling system fill‑flush
- After linkage: Recycled water system shut, disinfected
- Inquiry announced: Hageman seeks Meta contamination answers
News Intelligence
- This bacteria scare affects your health and community. If you're in Cheyenne, especially if you're older or have a weak immune system, you should be extra cautious. Check for updates from the Board of Public Utilities on water safety.
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