AWS data centers' water use tied to spike in cancer and miscarriages in Oregon
10 days ago
- #corporate accountability
- #environmental pollution
- #public health
- Morrow County, Oregon, has nitrate levels in household wells as high as 73 ppm, exceeding the state's legal limit of 7 ppm.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centers are exacerbating aquifer contamination by concentrating nitrates through their cooling systems.
- The Lower Umatilla Basin aquifer, the primary drinking water source, is further polluted by AWS's heavy water usage.
- AWS data centers use tens of millions of gallons annually, returning water with up to 56 ppm nitrates to the aquifer.
- High nitrate levels (above 70 ppm) are linked to increased miscarriages, rare cancers, and reproductive issues in residents.
- Amazon disputes the findings, claiming their water usage is minimal and groundwater issues predate their operations.
- 40% of county residents live below the poverty line, lacking political leverage to demand clean water solutions.
- State agencies provide bottled water to some households but lack a comprehensive clean-water project.