Tesla Giga Berlin continues to face criticism and protests over its water consumption. Now, RBB—a local radio broadcaster and news agency—has completed a study on this very subject. Results show that the factory’s water use is less than even that of a nearby asparagus farm.
The construction of the Tesla factory in Grünheide was accompanied by protests from the very beginning. Critics were outraged because part of the area used was located in a water protection zone. One of the most pressing issues was the claim that the factory had high water consumption. As such, RBB decided to explore this issue, and its staggering study results have come to light.
According to data, Giga Berlin consumes 500,000 cubic meters of water per year. This is significantly lower than the approved amount of 1.8 million cubic meters and is very economical. By comparison, even Clystow’s asparagus farm nearby requires more than a million cubic meters of water per year.
Tesla has made efforts to achieve this low water consumption. The reason for the low demand for freshwater lies in one of the largest and most modern wastewater treatment plants in Germany. Theresa Eggler, project manager at Giga Berlin, explains that about 90 percent of the wastewater comes from the paint shop. However, thanks to the treatment system installed at the factory, this black broth can be turned back into crystal-clear water. Separated solids are disposed of separately. This allows “up to 100 percent of all process wastewater to be recycled.” As a result, production wastewater is practically not discharged. Sanitary facilities, used by approximately 12,500 employees, account for the highest consumption.
Eggler’s colleague, Alexander Riederer, says the industrial wastewater treatment plant at Giga Berlin is the second largest in Germany. “There is only one, a larger one, which is at a nuclear power plant,” he said. Thanks to this circulation system, the factory uses 500,000 cubic meters of water. This corresponds to only four percent of the total water volume of the WSE water supply for the region. That is why there can be no question of excessive load on groundwater. Claims that this is not true are not only baseless but misleading.
The RBB study also provides clarity on the threat of groundwater pollution. All of Giga Berlin’s respective buildings were “designed like a bathtub.” Leaking liquids will be retained in collection tanks. The site also has 25 measuring points where groundwater tests are carried out in fixed cycles. The results from accredited laboratories were sent to the responsible authorities, as well as to the water association, WSE.
