Tesla signs new water contract in Grünheide: compromise reached!

Tesla signs new water contract in Grünheide: compromise reached!

After a long period of heated discussions and some passionate protests, Tesla has finally signed a new water contract for its Grünheide factory. It took almost two years until an agreement could be reached with the Strausberg-Erkner water association (WSE). The water association willingly agreed to this compromise in April 2025, after previously, according to sources, even threatening to stop the water supply because Tesla exceeded the limits for dirty water by six times. Tagesschau reports that higher limits are now set for wastewater pollution and that Tesla is at the same time returning large amounts of unneeded water quotas.

The original 2020 contract called for a maximum delivery of 1.8 million cubic meters of water per year. Now the water association is getting a number of rights back and can purchase around 400,000 cubic meters less from Tesla every year. This is a significant decline that will significantly impact both production and usage locally. At least Tesla can now show itself to be more willing to talk: water consumption in the factory has already been significantly reduced, which has had a positive impact on wastewater quality and reduces the pressure on legislation.

Tensions and protests

The negotiations were not always harmonious. There were some concerned voices at the WSE in advance, including association chairman Thomas Krieger, who expressed his optimism about the compromise. However, the relationship between Tesla and the WSE management, especially with André Bähler, did not remain unchallenged after these discussions. Protests against the agreement were organized by activists from the “Turn Off the Tap to Tesla” alliance, which had also taken offensive action against the plant and its water consumption in the past.

A look at the national water management shows how important the issue of water and wastewater management is beyond regional frameworks. According to data from Destatis, drinking water and wastewater fees are collected every three years. The latest information on fees and costs for households offers a differentiated view of water distribution in Germany. So it is not only an issue of local importance, but also has an impact on the entire infrastructure and environmental policy.

The future of Tesla in Grünheide

Tesla has been producing electric cars in Grünheide since March 2022, not only boosting the local economy but also creating numerous jobs. Nevertheless, everyone involved must ensure that they work within the framework of legal requirements in order to avoid environmental conflicts. Although the Lower Water Authority has assessed groundwater protection as sufficient, the challenge remains to combine sustainability with economic growth.

The latest developments show that even large companies like Tesla have to adapt to the region's rules. It remains to be seen how the situation develops and what steps the company takes next to strengthen its relationship with the environment and the authorities.