Residents Raise Concerns Over Georgia's Data Center Boom

Rapid growth of data centers in metro Atlanta raises environmental worries for nearby homeowners

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Georgia's booming data center industry has transformed the region into a hub for the digital economy, but for one Fayette County couple, the growth has come with what they call a devastating personal cost. The Marschalls say the construction and ongoing operation of a data center next door has brought near-constant industrial noise, fumes, and bright security lights that shine into their home at night. Their biggest concern, however, is the impact on the creek in their backyard, which flows into the Flint River basin and provides water to more than a million people across Georgia.

Why it matters

As Georgia's reliance on data centers and cloud infrastructure continues to grow, the Marschalls and environmental advocates say their story raises broader questions about the environmental impact of this rapid development and the need for local communities to get involved in land-use decisions early on.

The details

The Marschalls moved to their wooded property in Fayette County more than 25 years ago, drawn by the quiet surroundings. But that tranquility ended when residential land nearby was rezoned, and a data center operated by QTS Data Centers moved in next door. The Marschalls say the facility has brought constant industrial noise, fumes, and bright security lights. They're also concerned about the impact on the creek in their backyard, which flows into the Flint River basin. The Flint Riverkeeper team has documented a thick orange substance and sediment in the creek after heavy rain events, which they say could be from the use of flocculants at the construction site. QTS disputes claims that it is violating environmental regulations, saying it conducts testing and follows all necessary protocols.

  • The Marschalls moved to their property more than 25 years ago.
  • Residential land nearby was rezoned, and the QTS Data Centers facility was built next to the Marschalls' property.

The players

Joe and Jean Marschall

A couple who moved to their wooded property in Fayette County more than 25 years ago, but now face constant industrial noise, fumes, and bright security lights from a nearby data center.

QTS Data Centers

The company that operates the data center facility next to the Marschalls' property. QTS disputes claims that it is violating environmental regulations.

R.J. Gipaya

A watershed specialist for the Flint Riverkeeper, who has documented a thick orange substance and sediment in the creek on the Marschalls' property after heavy rain events.

Gordon Rogers

The Flint Riverkeeper, who says that if you pollute any part of a watershed, you're potentially polluting all of it.

Ryan Hunter

The chief operating officer of QTS, who says the data center is operating within the law and that the company is working to address the Marschalls' concerns.

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What they’re saying

“This was our retirement. Our slice of heaven.”

— Jean Marschall (cbsnews.com)

“As close to Eden as you could get.”

— Joe Marschall (cbsnews.com)

“We're under interrogation every night.”

— Joe Marschall (cbsnews.com)

“If you pollute any part of a watershed, you're potentially polluting all of it.”

— Gordon Rogers, Flint Riverkeeper (cbsnews.com)

“This could be in your backyard, too.”

— Jean Marschall (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The Marschalls and the Flint Riverkeeper say the changes made by QTS so far have not gone far enough, and they are continuing to push for more action to address the environmental concerns.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing tensions between the booming data center industry and the environmental impact on local communities, raising questions about the need for stronger regulations and community involvement in land-use decisions to balance economic growth and environmental protection.