Tesla and WSE: New water contract for Grünheide causes a stir!

Tesla and WSE: New water contract for Grünheide causes a stir!

In a decisive turning point for the Tesla factory in Grünheide, the Strausberg-Erkner water association (WSE) has confirmed the conclusion of a new water contract. A recent meeting in Strausberg served to address legal concerns and solidify the partnership with Tesla. This was supported by André Bähler, the managing director of the WSE, who was supposed to respond to a letter from Tesla that pointed out inaccuracies in the contract. According to rbb24, all controversial questions have now been clarified.

After months of negotiations, Tesla received adjusted and higher limits for its wastewater disposal. Critics had previously warned that Tesla regularly exceeded limits on phosphorus and total nitrogen, leading the WSE to consider a waste disposal ban. In December 2024, both sides finally agreed on the new contract, which Tesla initially did not want to sign. But now that everything is under wraps, Tesla will also be relieved in terms of water quality, as there will no longer be any industrial wastewater. Instead, only normal household sanitary wastewater is processed, reports Tagesspiegel.

Water consumption and return

A central element of the new contract is the complete recycling of wastewater generated during production. Tesla plans to return about 400,000 cubic meters of water to the WSE, a move that could have a positive impact on the region. In the new contract, the WSE receives back around 377,000 cubic meters of drinking water annually that Tesla does not need. This is particularly important as water consumption in Germany is constantly increasing and the challenges of climate change are becoming increasingly noticeable, as ZDF explains.

The debate about water consumption is becoming more intense in light of the global water crisis. According to the UN, global water consumption is increasing annually and droughts have increased by 29 percent since 2000. Worryingly, over 2.2 billion people worldwide do not have access to clean drinking water. Water consumption is particularly high in industry, which makes the issue of recycling all the more urgent. Water reuse technologies, which are already being used successfully in other sectors, could also make a significant contribution to the automotive industry.

Environmental concerns and protests

Despite the positive developments, there are also critical voices. Environmentalists fear that the drinking water supply in the region could be at risk from the Tesla factory, as parts of the Gigafactory are located in the water protection area. Protests against the new water contract were organized by the “Turn off the tap to Tesla” alliance. Tesla itself, however, emphasizes that the factory's water consumption is lower than the average in the electric car industry.

So this new contract is not only a step forward for Tesla, but could also serve as an example for other companies that prioritize the sustainable use of water. The key will be finding the balance between industrial growth and ensuring sufficient water resources for all.