Amazon's Oregon data centers linked to rising cancer, miscarriage rates
What's the story
The presence of Amazon data centers in Morrow County, Oregon is being linked to an increase in cancer and miscarriage rates. A report by Rolling Stone has revealed that the tech giant's facilities are contributing to a rise in nitrates levels in the area's drinking water. This contamination is believed to be behind the spike in health issues among residents.
Contamination details
Nitrate levels in drinking water exceed safety limits
The contamination of the Lower Umatilla Basin aquifer, a key source of drinking water for locals, is being driven by a mix of poor wastewater management practices, sandy soil conditions, and basic physics. Some wells have recorded nitrate levels as high as 73 parts per million (ppm), which is 10 times Oregon's limit of 7 ppm and seven times the federal limit.
Impact on aquifer
How Amazon's data centers contribute to water contamination
Amazon's Oregon data centers draw millions of gallons annually from the local aquifer to cool their servers. This water, already high in nitrates, is discharged into the Port's wastewater system. The company then reuses the same water for cooling, where heat from servers evaporates some water but leaves nitrates behind. This recycling increases nitrate concentrations in the water sent back into the system, worsening contamination levels and potentially impacting local groundwater and farm safety.
Company response
Amazon disputes claims of water contamination
Responding to the allegations, Amazon spokesperson Lisa Levandowski called the Rolling Stone report "misleading and inaccurate." She claimed 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 also said that groundwater problems in the area "significantly predate AWS' (Amazon Web Services) presence."
Health impact
Health issues linked to rising nitrate levels
The increase in nitrates in drinking water has been associated with a rise in rare cancers and miscarriages. However, efforts to curb further contamination and ensure safe drinking water for residents have been slow. The limited response and the fact that 40% of county residents live below the poverty line have drawn comparisons to Flint, Michigan's crisis where lead from aging pipes was leaching into the city's drinking water, poisoning tens of thousands of residents.