Amazon will pay $20.5 million to settle Oregon data center pollution allegations

Amazon has agreed to pay $20.5 million to settle allegations that its data centers in Morrow County, Oregon, contributed to nitrate groundwater pollution. Residents in eastern Oregon have been contending for years with nitrate contamination impacting wells and drinking water, primarily stemming from agricultural activities. The allegations, however, suggest that Amazon's data centers, which use significant volumes of local water for cooling, concentrated these nitrates through evaporation before discharging the water, thus contributing to the problem by allowing it to seep back into the groundwater. Amazon denies any wrongdoing, asserting that its water runoff contains very low levels of nitrates and that its overall water usage in the area is modest compared to other local consumers. Despite this, the company stated it agreed to the settlement to aid the community with its wastewater challenges. The funds are earmarked for public infrastructure and private well improvements, with provisions for contacting eligible residents to access the funds.