Amazon’s Data Centers: Poisoning a Town 💧😱

Tech & Science

Morrow County, Oregon, is characterized by its mega farms and food processing plants, but also by several Amazon data centers. Recent investigations suggest a concerning link between this combination and alarmingly high nitrate levels in the area’s drinking water, driving up rates of cancer and miscarriage. A Rolling Stone exposé details how Amazon, despite not utilizing any hazardous nitrates for cooling its data centers, is accelerating contamination of the Lower Umatilla Basin aquifer, a vital resource for local residents. The issue stems from a confluence of factors: poor wastewater management, the area’s sandy soil, and basic physics. Measurements have revealed nitrate concentrations as high as 73 parts per million (ppm) in some wells – ten times the state’s limit of 7 ppm and seven times the federal limit. According to Rolling Stone, “experts say Amazon’s arrival supercharged this process.” The data centers draw tens of millions of gallons of water annually to cool their computer equipment, which is then channeled through the Port’s wastewater system. This results in increased nitrate-laden wastewater being pumped onto area farms. Due to the porous nature of the soil, this water quickly saturates, allowing more nitrates to infiltrate the aquifer. The problem is further compounded by Amazon subsequently using this contaminated water – already exceeding federal nitrate limits – to cool its data centers. As the water circulates through the data centers to absorb heat from the server systems, a portion of the nitrate contaminants remain.

Water evaporates, yet the nitrates persist, leading to a heightened concentration. Consequently, when polluted water flows through Amazon’s data centers and returns to the wastewater system, the contamination levels frequently reach as high as 56 parts per million – eight times Oregon’s established safety limit. Amazon disputes this characterization; spokesperson Lisa Levandowski, speaking to Rolling Stone, characterized the reporting as “misleading and inaccurate,” asserting that “the volume of water our facilities use and return represents only a very small fraction of the overall water system—not enough to have any meaningful impact on water quality.” Levandowski further stated that the region’s groundwater issues “significantly predate AWS’ (Amazon Web Services) presence.” Despite this, the company’s inaction – and its choice to locate in Morrow County – raises questions about its potential impact. The increase in nitrates within the drinking water has been correlated with a rise in rare cancers and miscarriages. Furthermore, efforts to limit further contamination and provide residents with safe, clean drinking water have been notably slow to materialize, particularly given the vulnerable position of the affected community, which possesses limited political and economic influence and a lack of comprehensive understanding of the associated risks.