Amazon reaches $20.5 million settlement in LUBGWMA contamination lawsuit

PENDLETON – Legal counsel representing residents in the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area announced a preliminary $20.5 million settlement with Amazon Data Services on Tuesday, addressing a lawsuit that alleged the company’s data centers contributed to nitrate contamination in Morrow and Umatilla counties.

The settlement funds are designated to help affected residents access clean drinking water through private well improvements or public infrastructure projects.

“We appreciate Amazon taking the first step toward solving the nitrate pollution problem, but the work is far from over,” said Steve Berman, managing partner and founder of Hagens Berman and co-counsel for the proposed class of plaintiffs.

Hagens Berman is also involved in a separate, active class-action suit against the Port of Morrow and several other entities, including Lamb Weston, Threemile Canyon Farms, and Columbia River Processing, a subsidiary of Tillamook.