Water usage at Giga Berlin has become a hot topic for Tesla, sparking protests from local environmental groups around the facility. Yet, there appears to be a possible solution coming up, as the Strauberg-Erkner Water Association (WSE) has drafted a water contract aimed at the electric vehicle plant.
WSE’s Role
WSE is a regional water supplier and waste management service in Germany. It serves 16 municipalities and has gained attention lately for its lengthy discussions with Tesla regarding the Giga Berlin plant.
Contract Details Pending
While the specifics of the contract haven't been revealed yet, reports indicate that it includes a reduced water supply for Tesla, along with new guidelines for managing wastewater generated at the factory. The WSE plans to send the draft to Tesla for their assessment.
Hopes for Quick Resolution
Thomas Krieger, the chairman of the association and the mayor of Fredersdorf-Vogelsdorf, is optimistic that Tesla will give a positive feedback before Christmas. However, it’s possible that both parties will have to go through more rounds of negotiations if Tesla asks for changes, which seems likely since it has expressed concerns about not being included in or updated on the final revisions to the draft.
Tesla has managed to cut down its water use significantly, thanks to its effective wastewater treatment system. Nevertheless, the downside is that the wastewater produced is too concentrated for WSE’s disposal system.
