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

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

In a crucial turnaround for the Tesla plant in Grünheide, the Wasserverband Strausberg-Kner (WSE) has confirmed the conclusion of a new water contract. A recent meeting in Strausberg served to clear out legal concerns and to consolidate 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 inaccuracy in the contract. According to [rbb24] (https://www.rbb24.de/wirtschaft/2025/07/tesla-wasserverband-wse- contract-wasser-abwasser-bestaetigt.html), all disputed questions have now been clarified.

After months of negotiations, Tesla received adapted and higher limit values for his wastewater disposal. Critics had previously warned that Tesla regularly exceeded the limit values for phosphorus and overall nitrogen, which caused the WSE to consider a disposal stop. In December 2024, both sides finally agreed on the new contract that Tesla initially did not want to sign. But now that everything is under the roof and a subject, Tesla is also relieved of the water quality, since no industrial water is no longer available. Instead, only customary sanitary sanity is processed, reports Tagesspiegel.

water consumption and return

A central element of the new contract is the complete recycling of the wastewater incurred in the production. Tesla plans to return about 400,000 cubic meters of water to the WSE, a step that could have a positive effect on the region. In the new contract, the WSE receives around 377,000 cubic meters of drinking water every year, which Tesla does not need. This is particularly important because water consumption in Germany increases steadily and the challenges of climate change are becoming increasingly noticeable, as [ZDF] (https://www.zdfheute.de/wissen/plan-b-wasser-wasser-wasser-sus-- industrie-100.html) explains.

The debate about water consumption increases in intensity in view of the global water crisis. According to the UN, global water consumption increases annually, and the drought time has increased by 29 percent since 2000. It is worrying that over 2.2 billion people worldwide have no access to clean drinking water. In industry, water consumption is particularly high, which makes the topic of recycling all the more urgent. Technologies for use of water re -use, as they are already used in other sectors, could also make a significant contribution in 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 endangered by the Tesla plant because parts of the Gigafactory are in the water protection area. Protests against the new water contract were organized by the alliance "Tesla the tap". Tesla, on the other hand, emphasizes that the water consumption of the factory is lower than the average in the electric car industry.

This new contract is not only a progress for Tesla, but could also serve as an example for other companies that prioritize the sustainable use of water. The key will be to find the balance between industrial growth and ensuring sufficient water resources for everyone.