Spill at Cambridge data centre ‘unrelated’ to milky algae bloom in stormwater pond
Posted Nov 11, 2026 02:11:51 PM.
The co-owners of a data centre in Cambridge say a milky algae bloom that developed in a stormwater management pond over the summer was “unrelated” to a chemical spill that occurred a few weeks earlier.
Related Digital has provided a statement to CityNews Kitchener confirming there was a spill of 5,000 litres of propylene glycol at the Ascent TOR1 data centre on July 2.
A spokesperson for the company says the spill was self-reported to the Ontario Spills Action Centre and Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP).
They say it was quickly contained and resolved, and both “unrelated” and “coincidental” to an algae bloom in a stormwater retention pond.
The MECP was notified about an “odorous milky substance” that entered the pond at 17 Vondrau Drive on July 19.
Related Digital later said that it was “likely” a natural bacterial occurrence and was not indicative of any chemicals being released.
In a new statement on Nov. 11, a company spokesperson said it was “determined” that the algae bloom was not related to the glycol spill.
“This determination was supported by extensive, ministry mandated, subsequent testing of the pond water and impacted soil,” read the Related Digital statement. “As we stated previously, we believe the algae bloom to have resulted from stagnant water, high temperatures, and the breakdown of naturally occurring organic matter that caused anaerobic conditions in the stormwater detention pond.”
Related Digital noted that the 5,000-litre spill on July 2 contained only 25 per cent propylene glycol and 75 per cent water.
They’re also pointing to the appearance of the substance, saying diluted propylene glycol is clear and colourless, and does not present as milky.
A Health Canada report on propylene glycol says the substance “does not present unacceptable risks to human health or the environment” when used according to guidelines.
The stormwater pond with the algae bloom was fully drained and according to Related Digital, it reopened on Oct. 23 with approval from the Ministry.
A request has been sent to the MECP for comment.
