Equinix reported that approximately 5,000 gallons of diesel leaked from a storage tank at its data center on September 14, 2026, entering Anderson Creek, a tributary of the Hackensack River in the New Jersey Meadowlands. The spill was detected shortly after the tank failure and prompted an immediate response from local authorities.
The breach in the storage tank allowed diesel to flow directly into Anderson Creek, which runs through the Meadowlands wetlands before joining the Hackensack River. The Meadowlands serve as a critical wetland system that filters water and supports a variety of wildlife, making any contamination a concern for both the environment and downstream water quality.
State and local environmental agencies arrived on the scene within hours of the report. Crews deployed containment booms and absorbent materials to limit the spread of diesel along the creek and into the broader wetland area. Specialized equipment was used to recover the bulk of the spilled fuel from the water surface, while additional teams began soil testing along the creek banks to assess any infiltration.
Equinix officials confirmed that the incident stemmed from a failure of the storage tank but did not release further technical details. The company indicated that it is cooperating fully with authorities and has initiated internal reviews of its fuel storage procedures to prevent future occurrences.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) announced that monitoring will continue for several weeks to ensure that residual diesel does not pose a long‑term threat to the Meadowlands ecosystem. Officials emphasized that the rapid containment actions have limited the immediate impact on the Hackensack River watershed.
Residents in the surrounding area were advised to avoid direct contact with the water and to follow any additional guidance issued by local health and safety officials. The cleanup effort is expected to continue throughout the coming days as crews work to remove remaining traces of diesel and restore the affected sections of Anderson Creek.