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

Amazon agreed Tuesday to pay $20.5 million to settle allegations that its data centers in Morrow County contributed to nitrate pollution that has contaminated groundwater in the agricultural community.

Nitrates from farm fertilizer, animal manure and wastewater contaminated local drinking water for residents living in Morrow and Umatilla counties, according to state reports. Amazon wasn’t the origin of the nitrate pollution, and denies wrongdoing, but critics have alleged the company exacerbated the crisis with concentrated runoff from its data centers.

A lawsuit continues on behalf of local residents against food processors, farms, utilities and the Port of Morrow.

“We appreciate Amazon taking the first step toward solving the nitrate pollution problem, but the work is far from over,” said Steve Berman, attorney for the plaintiffs. His firm, Hagens Berman, said funds from the settlement will support private well and public water projects to provide clean water for people living in the Lower Umatilla Basin.

Money from Amazon’s settlement will be disbursed to households that use wells to help them access clean water supplies, according to legal filings Tuesday. A court-appointed administrator will notify eligible households.