Atlanta Airport Fuel Affects Griffin

On Friday January 30th at 11am Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport spilled at least 10,000 gallons of jet fuel into the Flint River. Aside from the ecological impacts yet to be fully determined, the spill caused the City of Griffin to issue a “Do Not Drink” notice for all citizens and the Governor declared a State of Emergency. Despite claims of containment just downstream of the airport, Griffin citizens have reported the water from their taps burning their skin and carrying overwhelming odors of contamination. Jayme Aldridge told the Georgia Recorder, “You could smell it as soon as you walked in the bathroom. It’s like a kerosene type smell, some kind of fuel.”

Contrary to common belief the Flint River does not begin under the airport but instead above and around as a series of spring heads and urban drainages in Hapeville and Eastpoint. Standing just outside the security fence and looking downstream the Flint River can be seen entering airport property as a thin but steady flow and traveling south through a cement channel adjacent to the Delta Museum. A century of grading, filling, and paving (for growth, progress, and advancement) have left this vital section of the Flint River with little trace of any natural appearance and instead looking as if it is only urban wastewater, not the start of a significant natural resource relied upon by over one million Georgians and quite a few Floridians to boot. Unfortunately, despite years of work by a coalition of advocate groups and the airport’s own sustainability staff, that is just how Hartsfield-Jackson leadership treats the Flint River…a drain to carry away their pollution. A mechanism for disposing of their refuse. A way for their problems to be sent downstream so others will have to solve them. 

Flint Riverkeeper has maintained a years-long partnership with the sustainability department of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Sustainability staff have served on our Board of Directors, regularly attended our social and fundraising events, joined us on the river for an annual paddle from Sprewell Bluff to the Flint River Outdoor Center, and we are currently in the process of planning a riverfront retreat for senior leadership. Yet, when at least 10,000 gallons of fuel entered the Flint River Flint Riverkeeper was not notified. The earliest hints of a problem were not received until 4:30pm Friday afternoon and those from a responder not affiliated with the airport. Perhaps even worse, Flint Riverkeeper staff were aware of the spill before the airport’s own sustainability team. That’s not leadership, a commitment to your partners, or respect for your staff. That’s an intentional attempt at a cover up or complete lack of competence. Any other explanations ring hollow. Certainly notifying first responder and the GAEPD emergency response team are first on the list, downstream water utilities (Fayette County, Clayton County, and the City of Griffin) next. We are currently unsure of when even THOSE entities were notified. But for your own sustainability staff and partners to find out from citizens and the press? Entirely unprofessional and disrespectful.

This spill is just the latest incident in a long history of abuse of the Flint River by the world’s busiest airport. Sewer issues, daily trash, de-icing fluid, many other fuel spills, and even construction debris are flushed to the Flint . . .and have been, for years. Flint Riverkeeper exists to protect and restore the habitat, water quality, and flow of the Flint River for the benefit of current and future generations and dependent wildlife. It is our belief that this should be accomplished primarily through partnership, avoiding caustic and disruptive enforcement actions including lawsuits when and wherever possible. We have put years of work into building what was intended to be a strong and functioning relationship with airport management, a relationship with a mutual commitment to the health and protection of the Flint River. But, as Riverkeeper Gordon Rogers told the Georgia Recorder this week, “We’re sort of done with the friendly approach.”

This annual Flint and Altamaha Riverkeepers event serves to connect the river fishing community with the organizations, advocates, researchers, and regulatory agencies working to protect fishing and fish populations.

Tickets are available for purchase online starting Monday February 2nd. Two ticket options are available and event sponsors help to keep the cost as low as possible. Click HERE to set a reminder to purchase tickets!

Evening Schedule:

6-7:00pm - Cocktail Hour, Live Music by Andy Johnson and Trey Dunnahoo.

7:00pm - Welcome Address, Dinner

7:30pm - Presentations

• Gordon Rogers, Flint Riverkeeper

• Fletcher Sams, Altamaha Riverkeeper

• Scott Robinson, GA DNR

• Garrison Forrester, UGA

• Kendon Townsel, Georgia Rivers

9:00pm - Live Music by Andy Johnson and Trey Dunnahoo.

The 2026 Legislative Session is underway and Flint Riverkeeper is maintaining our daily presence at the capitol. It's been a fascinating start to the session with data centers dominating much of the conversations and bills introduced from both sides of the aisle. Please stay tuned throughout the session for ACTION ALERTS sent by Flint Riverkeeper when we need your help contacting legislators.

To view all legislation being tracked by Georgia Water Coalition, please click HERE.

You can join Flint Riverkeeper and our Georgia Water Coalition partners at the capitol the morning of February 26th for Capitol Conservation Day. Information and registration is HERE.

See also, a promising bill HB1072, that would authorize the EPD Director to consider a permit applicant's record of violations in other states. Flint Riverkeeper is in full support. The GWC will consider this bill for support by all partners next week.