Oregon's data center boom worsens water pollution in eastern farmland

Oregon's eastern farmland faces a worsening water crisis due to a data center boom, with Amazon's presence exacerbating nitrate pollution linked to health issues. The Lower Umatilla Basin aquifer, a vital water source for thousands, shows steadily increasing chemical toxins. This pollution, primarily from agricultural fertilizers, is now amplified by the water demands of data centers. This situation is being compared to the Flint, Michigan water crisis, highlighting concerns about slow responses and the impact on vulnerable communities.