Tesla in Grünheide: New water contract causes heated debates!

Tesla in Grünheide: New water contract causes heated debates!

Tesla has gained an important chapter in its Grünheide history: the electric car manufacturer has signed a new water contract for its factory. After intensive and lengthy negotiations with the Strausberg-Erkner Water Association (WSE), an agreement has now been reached. This contract was approved by the association meeting on June 12, 2025 and includes some exciting changes.

The new contract about which tagesschau.de reported, includes higher limits for wastewater pollution and a reduction in the amount of drinking water supplied by 400,000 cubic meters. Previously, a maximum amount of 1.8 million cubic meters was set, which now drops to 1.4 million cubic meters per year. This is made possible by the return flow of almost 400,000 cubic meters of water that Tesla previously used.

A change in wastewater

One of the biggest changes concerns the type of wastewater. Tesla no longer produces industrial wastewater, but only household sanitary wastewater remains. This means that the quality of the wastewater has changed significantly to a less harmful form. Tesla even claims that it can recycle up to 100% of this wastewater in the factory, which speaks for the environment and resource conservation.

However, the new agreements also increase the limit values: the maximum permissible value for “total nitrogen” in wastewater will be doubled and should now be 100 mg/l. The limit value for biological oxygen also increases from 300 mg/l to 450 mg/l. Tesla emphasizes compliance with all regulations and that these values ​​are within the permissible limits in their association area, such as heise.de notes.

Criticism and protests

But not everyone is happy with this agreement. Activists have already expressed their concerns and are demanding that local parliaments be more closely involved in deliberating such contracts. The water association had previously threatened to stop disposal because Tesla continually exceeded wastewater limits. This led to tensions between the company and the association's head, André Bähler tagesschau.de reported.

Another issue that is not neglected is the general water shortage. According to UNESCO, water consumption could increase by 20-30% by 2050, encouraging the entire industry to use water more efficiently. Techniques for recycling and saving water are already established in many areas, and the situation in Brandenburg makes it clear that sustainable solutions are needed.

A look at the future

The new developments in Grünheide are not only important for Tesla, but also for the entire region. The efficiency of water use in industry could create future models for other companies. The factory site has been established as a production site for electric cars since March 2022 and is currently struggling with falling registration numbers in Germany. Only 1,200 new Teslas were registered in May 2025, which means a decline of over a third compared to the previous year.

Overall, it shows that Tesla wants to both take responsibility and respond to current challenges through the new water contract in Grünheide. The company has proven itself to have a good hand for the future - it now remains to be seen how these agreements will prove themselves in practice in the long term.