Nscale-datasenter beskyldes for forurensning: – Elven blir grå og brun

May Kristin Fjell, a resident of Prestjordelva, claims that the water in the river has turned gray and brown since the Nscale data center began construction in the area. The water appears as a thick, gray-brown mass, she says, caused by eroded sand and particles carried by the river. Fjell and her neighbors have reported this issue to the municipality, but the municipality has questioned who is responsible for the pollution.

The municipality sent a letter to Nscale Norway AS, asking for an explanation, and the company responded that measures are being taken to address the problem. However, measurements taken in August showed an increase in sediment and erosion in the river, with higher levels upstream of the construction site. Nscale states that the pollution is stronger downstream from the data center and that they have observed this issue for the past 20-30 years.

The company has also sought a stock listing on the New York Stock Exchange and has invested 100 billion kroner in the project. A senior researcher at Niva, Øyvind Kaste, explains that if the pollution is due to natural erosion, it is usually not a threat. However, if it comes from an industrial area, it can contain sharp particles that may be harmful to aquatic life.

Nscale has since placed bales of hay and crushed stones to help drain the water. The municipality has received complaints about the gray water from Prestjordelva, and after receiving videos of the river, they sent a letter to Nscale demanding an explanation. Narvik municipality received a warning of gray and polluted water on September 1st after receiving videos of the river.

The municipality asked Nscale to provide an explanation, and after receiving the letter, the municipality noted that they are aware of the sediment-rich nature of Prestjordelva but are concerned about the situation.