Amazon is investing $235 million in two major surface water supply projects in Oregon aimed at improving water sustainability, replacing aging infrastructure, and supporting both local communities and industrial needs. The investment represents approximately 96% of the total $245 million cost for the combined initiatives.
The projects include $144.5 million allocated to the City of Umatilla’s new Columbia River Intake and Water Treatment Facility, along with $90.6 million for two additional surface water treatment plants serving the Port of Morrow. These efforts are designed to address declining groundwater levels in Umatilla County by shifting reliance from aquifers to surface water sourced from the Columbia River.
Amazon data centers will use only about 5% of the total system capacity, with the remaining 95% dedicated to regional municipal and industrial users. The Umatilla facility alone is expected to supply around 80 million gallons annually for Amazon’s cooling operations, while being scalable to produce up to 1.7 billion gallons of potable drinking water per year for residents.
At the Port of Morrow, the two treatment plants will deliver a combined capacity of approximately 10 billion gallons annually. Amazon’s usage is projected at about 455 million gallons, with the majority of capacity supporting broader industrial demand across the region.
The Umatilla facility is scheduled for completion in May 2026, while the Port of Morrow plants are expected to be operational by April 2027. A new Columbia River intake structure supporting the system is anticipated to be completed by April 2028.
These projects are part of Amazon’s broader commitment to becoming water positive by 2030, meaning the company aims to return more water to communities than it consumes in its operations. Amazon has been active in the region since 2011, when it established its first Pacific Northwest data center at the Port of Morrow.
Beyond Oregon, Amazon continues to expand its global water stewardship initiatives, including aquifer storage and recovery systems, watershed restoration projects, and AI-driven irrigation technologies. Collectively, the company has launched more than 30 water replenishment projects worldwide, expected to return over 14 billion liters of water annually once completed.
Amazon’s approach combines infrastructure investment, nature-based solutions, and advanced technologies to address water scarcity while supporting long-term community resilience and sustainable resource management.
