On September 13, 2026, a fuel leak at a data‑center site released approximately 5,000 gallons of petroleum into Anderson Creek in New Jersey. The incident has been identified as the largest fuel spill associated with a data‑center in the state’s history.
The data‑center operator reported the breach to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, which immediately began coordinating cleanup and monitoring efforts. Officials confirmed that the fuel entered the creek’s waterway, prompting concerns about the immediate and longer‑term effects on water quality.
Environmental specialists from the department are conducting ongoing assessments to determine the extent of contamination. Their focus includes testing for pollutants in the creek’s surface water and evaluating potential impacts on aquatic life. The department has indicated that the spill poses continued environmental and water‑quality challenges that will require sustained observation.
Because the spill represents the biggest fuel release linked to a data‑center facility in New Jersey, state regulators view it as a benchmark incident for future risk management. The event underscores the need for stringent safeguards at high‑technology sites that handle large volumes of fuel for backup power and cooling systems.
Local residents and downstream water users have been advised to stay informed about water‑quality reports issued by the department. While cleanup operations are underway, officials stress that the situation remains fluid, and water‑quality conditions may evolve as remediation progresses.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection continues to work with the data‑center operator to mitigate the spill’s effects, restore the creek’s condition, and prevent similar incidents in the future.