Amazon Data Centers Linked to Oregon Water Crisis

Morrow County, Oregon, grappling with a severe drinking water contamination issue, has seen alarming concentrations of nitrates in its local aquifer. Experts suggest that the presence of Amazon data centers has accelerated this problem, despite the company's claims to the contrary. The aquifer, crucial for the region's drinking water, now shows nitrate levels up to ten times the state limit and seven times the federal limit.

The contamination is attributed to a combination of factors, including agricultural runoff and the significant water consumption by Amazon's data centers. The facilities draw millions of gallons from the aquifer annually for cooling, with wastewater then directed to agricultural systems. This process, combined with porous soil, allegedly pushes more nitrates into the groundwater, which is then recirculated by Amazon for cooling.

This escalating water quality crisis has been correlated with a disturbing rise in rare cancers and miscarriage rates within the county. Efforts to provide clean drinking water and mitigate further pollution have been slow, drawing comparisons to the Flint, Michigan crisis. Advocates highlight that many affected residents, living below the poverty line, lack the political and economic power to address the risks effectively.