A fuel spill at an Atlanta airport may have contaminated a nearby river, the Associated Press reported, prompting city officials in Griffin to advise residents not to drink tap water.
What’s happening?
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport had a spill on January 30, 2026. Alnissa Ruiz-Craig, a spokesperson for the airport, said she couldn’t say what caused the spill or how much fuel escaped.
The Flint River, which originates near the airport, may have been contaminated. Officials in Griffin, which relies on the river for water supply, warned residents that the water might not be safe to drink even if boiled. They advised using bottled water instead for cooking, drinking, and brushing teeth.
Officials said they didn’t believe the contaminated water had reached Griffin, but they decided to shut down water intakes from the Flint River as a precaution.
Why is the fuel spill concerning?
This incident highlights ongoing water safety concerns near the Atlanta airport. According to CBS News, fuel spill incidents near the Atlanta airport aren’t new — hundreds of gallons of jet fuel had spilled into the Flint in 2021, and the Flint Riverkeeper group often finds tires, litter, and sewage during cleanups on and near the airport…