$20.5M Settlement Reached with Amazon Data Services, Inc. Over Alleged Nitrate Groundwater Contamination in Oregon’s LUBGWMA
PENDLETON, Ore. – Hagens Berman and its co-counsel, Bliven Law Firm and Heenan & Cook, today announced a $20.5 million settlement with Amazon Data Services Inc. over allegations that ADS’s data center operations contributed to nitrate contamination affecting Morrow and Umatilla counties, associated with significant health and environmental concerns for thousands of residents. ADS denies these allegations.
A motion for preliminary approval of the settlement was filed March 31, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, Pendleton Division. Settlement funds will support private well and public infrastructure projects in the LUBGWMA (Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area), improving access to clean water for property owners, renters and the broader community.
“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. “The parties that contributed to this problem have a responsibility to come forward and help resolve these issues. That means we will continue to prosecute the case against the main polluters—the Port of Morrow, Lamb Weston, Madison Ranches, Threemile Canyon Farms, Portland General Electric, and Columbia River Processing.”
The LUBGWMA encompasses 562 square miles in northern Morrow and Umatilla counties and is home to approximately 45,000 residents, including thousands with private wells whose tap water is so polluted with nitrates that it is unsafe to drink.
Find out more about the lawsuits on behalf of area residents dealing with contaminated water.
The settlement with Amazon Data Services comes on the heels of a similar class-action lawsuit, Pearson v. Port of Morrow, which was brought by the same law firms, accusing the Port of Morrow, Lamb Weston Holdings, Madison Ranches, Threemile Canyon Farms, Portland General Electric and Columbia River Processing of causing contamination by generating and/or dumping large volumes of high-nitrogen wastewater in the LUBGWMA region.
The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief, compensatory damages, and the creation of a medical monitoring program to assist affected communities in diagnosing and treating illnesses caused by exposure to excessive nitrates.
Hagens Berman’s attorneys include an environmental litigation team with a track record of combatting wrongdoing that has polluted and contaminated natural resources. Bliven Law Firm has represented members of the community for over 20 years. Heenan & Cook is experienced in class action and consumer protection litigation.
Settlement Information for Residents
Residents do not need to take any action at this time. If the court grants preliminary approval of the settlement, a settlement website will be established by a court-appointed settlement administrator, and eligible residents will be notified with further information.
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About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs’ rights complex litigation law firm with a tenacious drive for achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. Since its founding in 1993, the firm’s determination has earned it numerous national accolades, awards and titles of “Most Feared Plaintiff’s Firm,” MVPs and Trailblazers of class-action law. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.
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