Amazon’s data centre operations in the United States are under scrutiny after new reports linked them to rising cases of rare cancers and miscarriages among residents living near the facilities.
A detailed investigation by Rolling Stone highlights growing concerns in Morrow County, Oregon, an area known for large farms and food processing units but now home to several Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centres.
Rising Nitrate Levels Spark Alarm
According to the investigation, Nitrate levels in some private wells in the Lower Umatilla Basin aquifer have reached as high as 73 parts per million (ppm). This is ten times higher than Oregon’s limit of 7 ppm and far above the federal safety limit.
Exposure to high Nitrate levels has been linked to serious health risks, including certain cancers and pregnancy complications. Experts and local residents believe that a combination of long-standing agricultural waste and increased water usage by data centres may be contributing to the worsening contamination.
For years, fertilisers and wastewater from farms have seeped into soil and groundwater, raising Nitrate levels. But the report claims that Amazon’s rapid expansion has “supercharged this process.”
How Data Centres May Be Involved
AWS data centres use tens of millions of gallons of groundwater annually to cool their servers. Once used, this water, already containing Nitrates, is sent to the Port of Morrow’s wastewater system.
The wastewater is then sprayed onto nearby farmland. However, much of the soil in this region is sandy and porous, meaning it cannot absorb all the liquid. As a result, higher volumes of Nitrates allegedly sink back into the aquifer, further contaminating the region’s drinking water.
Amazon Rejects the Claims
Amazon has strongly denied the allegations. Company spokesperson Lisa Levandowski called the Rolling Stone report “misleading and inaccurate.”
She maintains that Nitrate pollution in the region predates Amazon’s arrival and is mainly caused by agricultural fertilisers, manure, septic systems, and waste from food processing plants.
Levandowski added that Amazon uses and returns “only a very small fraction” of the community’s water supply and does not use Nitrates in any of its processes.
The company also emphasised that its data centres follow all environmental guidelines and that employee and community safety remain top priorities.
What Happens Next
As concerns rise among residents and environmental experts, calls for deeper investigation and stronger groundwater protection measures are growing. For now, the debate continues, with Amazon firmly rejecting any role in the contamination and health issues reported in the region.
What if India Faces the Same Situation?
As Amazon faces scrutiny in the US over the environmental impact of its data centres, India is simultaneously preparing for its own massive data centre expansion.
The rise of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital services has triggered explosive growth in the country’s data infrastructure, bringing opportunity, investment, and concern in equal measure.
India is currently becoming one of the world’s fastest-growing data centre markets. Global giants like Google, Amazon Web Services, Meta, and major Indian companies such as Reliance are pouring billions into building new facilities.
Google recently announced a $15 billion AI data centre project in Andhra Pradesh, marking one of the largest tech investments in Indian history.
Rising Environmental Concerns in India Due to Data Centers
Data centres are water-intensive, requiring huge volumes for cooling their servers. In a country that has 18% of the world’s population but only 4% of its water resources, this is a major concern.
Studies show: India’s data centre water use may surge from 150 billion litres (2025) to 358 billion litres (2030). Up to 80% of India’s data centres may face high water stress this decade.
Urban hubs like Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, where most centres are located, already struggle with competing water needs.
Environmental groups have begun raising alarms. For example, Google’s proposed AI data centre in Visakhapatnam has triggered concerns over worsening water scarcity in the region.
Energy Demand Could Also Rise Sharply
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), India’s data centre electricity use may double to 1–2% of total national demand, potentially increasing dependence on fossil fuels unless clean energy requirements are enforced.
Experts warn that without strong regulations, future water shortages or power cuts could even disrupt essential digital services such as banking, hospitals, and transportation systems.
The Road Ahead
India stands at a crucial crossroads. It must fuel its digital future without compromising its environment. Experts recommend shifting to recycled or non-potable water, choosing low-stress water basins, and mandating renewable energy for all new facilities.
For India, the challenge is clear: Build the data infrastructure of tomorrow without risking the resources needed today.