Data Centre Chemical Spill Sparks Outrage

A data centre in Cambridge, Ontario, located at 17 Vondrau Drive, is once again under scrutiny following the discovery of an odorous milky white substance in a nearby stormwater management pond on July 19. The substance was identified by Ontario's Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), which confirmed the region's drinking water was not impacted.

This incident follows a previously unreported 5,000-litre chemical spill that occurred on July 2. The spilled substance was identified as 75% water and 25% propylene glycol, commonly used as antifreeze and in cooling systems. Ontario NDP MPP Catherine Fife has publicly called for accountability, stating that the three-month delay in learning about the spill is unacceptable and criticizes the provincial government's oversight.

Related Digital, the co-owner of the Ascent TOR1 Data Centre, stated that licensed professionals, supervised by the MECP, determined the bacterial bloom in the pond was coincidental and unrelated to the earlier glycol spill. Extensive testing supported this conclusion. The company also confirmed the pond was drained and reopened on October 23 with ministry approval. The ministry stated it has not established a link between the two incidents.