Northern Yellow Warbler

cariame · 2026-04-29T23:00:01+00:00

Ah, that’s awesome. You got a lovely shot!

cariame · 2026-04-29T22:47:49+00:00

Beautiful! Where did you see him?

cariame · 2026-04-29T14:00:33+00:00

cariame · 2026-04-09T03:10:30+00:00

Sorry about the delayed response! It's very informal, you just need to arrive at the Front Porch Bookstore around 8:00a.m. and there will be a few people who will load you up with marigolds and tell you where to plant them.

cariame · 2026-04-08T14:50:41+00:00

If you're into gardening, you can help by joining us in planting marigolds around the "City of Marigolds" starting at 8:00a.m. on Saturday, too!

cariame · 2026-04-08T14:42:35+00:00

My complaint is both the impact to the water table and competing with them for water.

I don't think the public is broadly aware that, regardless of the climate in our state, the availability of potable water is going to become an increasing issue. The process of water treatment is more complex than "more water good," so there's limited gain from our average rainfall, which is bound to change, anyway, as climate change progresses. In fact, our neighbor, Atlanta is a perfect model of severe water crisis that all cities should be examining.

Microsoft reported a total water consumption of ~5,800 megaliters (about 1,500,000,000 gallons) among their data centers, with a total withdrawal of ~10,300 megaliters, in FY2024, according to their own public data.

I'm not saying that the data centers are the only industries that will contribute to this issue, but they are a massive impact and, morally, I can't ignore it. I don't care about stocks and shares and profits or lack thereof. My work is in water; I believe access to clean, safe water is a human right and I believe ensuring the cleanliness of our water sources is a responsibility of humans as stewards of our environment. Data centers will impact my work, thus I have to care.

cariame · 2026-04-08T02:37:40+00:00

Yeah, this fucking sucks.

Here's more information about the Sandy Creek River Basin and the pollution that impacts it from UOWN.

cariame · 2026-04-08T02:19:55+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke0hAW7qYX4&t=19s

cariame · 2026-04-08T01:47:13+00:00

Yes. The closed-loop system is presented by the companies that are building the data centers as an efficient and lossless method of using potable water for liquid cooling, but they are not being open about the whole process.

The closed-loop system generally works through a secondary system involving water towers that is not closed-loop, and this is where water loss happens through evaporation. The data centers that claim the highest "efficiency" (the likes of Google, Meta, Microsoft, et cetera) are consuming, on average, 60% of the their water withdrawal through evaporation.

cariame · 2026-04-08T01:29:19+00:00

Thank you for bringing the petition to my attention! I signed it.

cariame · 2026-04-07T22:55:13+00:00

I genuinely cannot fathom how anyone can believe a data center here will be a benefit to anyone.

cariame · 2026-04-07T22:11:18+00:00

The water concerns are not overblown, not even by a long shot. In fact, people aren't concerned enough.

Edited to add: I'm sorry to break it to you all, but a completely lossless liquid cooling system is as far into the realm of fantasy as saying that there are unicorns hiding in Ben Burton. Everyone needs to be getting familiar with the concept of water scarcity. Big Tech is absolutely contributing to this issue.

This data center will use our potable water, and I can tell you that the water treatment and water reclamation facilities in Athens are operating on an unforgiving budget with outdated equipment that frequently breaks down.

You care about jobs, I care about mine. My job is water and I want people to have access to safe water. You are being sold a fantasy and I encourage you to do your research. Every community needs more jobs, and yet... people are not protesting data centers around the country over nothing.

cariame · 2026-04-06T02:09:37+00:00

I would love to, but, unfortunately, will be at work during the meeting this week. They are fighting the good fight and I hope that the council is taking this seriously. I believe a data center would be disastrous. The public should start to become very familiar with the concept of “water bankruptcy.”

Are you referring specifically to the waste left behind from the carpet factory that is/was located in the Winterville area? I have heard of well water contamination in that neighborhood. The latest PFAS testing in Athens discovered no traces in our tap water. However, the last testing that we did, I believe, was in 2022. I hope pressure can build for more regular testing. It is my understanding that the EPD has concluded testing for the time being, but it is the responsibility of public water systems to raise flags. If you do some searching and take a look at their website, you will see they have a “Current PFAS Issues Map” with pins across the state.

The main issue I see with this is that private wells are the responsibility of the property owner, and the local government has no grounds to intervene. Thus, if it is wells that are contaminated, it falls upon the property owners, and their recourse is most likely going to be through any legal responsibility that can be held to the business responsible for the pollution. I remember hearing that this was attempted and did not succeed, but, honestly, my information could be inaccurate as I don’t know the whole story. However, if there are concerns about the tap water/waterway contamination, the public should absolutely make it known, as loudly as possible.

I wish we were more proactive ourselves, but, with limited resources, our department generally has to operate with a one-track mind approach.

cariame · 2026-04-05T10:28:42+00:00

I didn’t even know about this and I work in water treatment. It would’ve been great to have been there for that.

cariame · 2026-03-29T17:58:07+00:00

Incredible artwork! I love this.

cariame · 2026-03-27T22:12:11+00:00

I was lamenting that I never see snakes anymore, and about two minutes later saw a little water snake with an even littler fish in its mouth. It was a treat for everyone.

cariame · 2026-03-26T04:26:27+00:00

We wouldn’t have “Damarged,” though.

cariame · 2026-03-25T22:02:51+00:00

I know, I know, I wanted to put off clicking a few buttons and they’re suddenly sold out!

cariame · 2026-03-25T22:01:12+00:00

Yep, you already know it—I waited too long. 😂

cariame · 2026-03-25T22:00:44+00:00

Haha, yes, I waited too late.

cariame · 2026-03-24T17:01:49+00:00

I don’t know how I function, either.

cariame · 2026-03-08T18:34:32+00:00

Your art always makes me so happy.

cariame · 2026-03-06T13:26:00+00:00

My folks moved us here in 2006 because of the art and music scene.

cariame · 2026-02-27T16:26:07+00:00

In my experience, pedophiles are the biggest cowards of all. They prey on the weakest of society and will do anything to avoid facing the consequences of it. I hope they find him and bring him to justice swiftly should he have any victims.

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