Summary
- Hyundai’s car factory in Georgia has a wastewater issue affecting production
- City of Savannah stopped accepting Hyundai’s wastewater due to not meeting permit standards
- Hyundai’s car factory has been working with authorities to address the issue and develop a plan
- Hyundai’s factory has upgraded equipment and is working to replace pipes to ensure compliance
- Hyundai’s factory is committed to being good environmental stewards and complying with regulations
Article
Hyundai’s car factory in Georgia, operated by the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA), has encountered a wastewater issue that could potentially affect production. The City of Savannah noticed in mid-September that Hyundai’s wastewater was impacting the biological processes at its water treatment facility. Consequently, the facility ceased accepting wastewater from HMGMA at the end of September after Hurricane Helene and has not received any wastewater from the plant since. The City of Savannah had issued a permit to accept HMGMA’s industrial wastewater on August 30, 2024, as a temporary measure while the North Bryan County Water Reclamation Facility was being constructed. However, on October 1, the City issued a Notice of Violation to HMGMA, prompting coordination with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and Bryan County to address the wastewater issue.
In response to the wastewater issue, a spokesperson for HMGMA explained that the plant had begun discharging wastewater to the City of Savannah in September 2024. Not long after the discharge began, it was discovered that the levels of zinc, copper, and total conductivity in the wastewater exceeded permitted limits. HMGMA promptly halted the discharging and initiated a root cause analysis to identify the source of the issue. Subsequently, HMGMA engaged a specialized company to pump wastewater into tanker trucks for off-site transportation to permitted facilities. In late October 2024, a third-party contractor inadvertently transported wastewater to a treatment plant that was not authorized to handle industrial wastewater, prompting HMGMA to terminate operations with the contractor and tighten oversight to prevent reoccurrence. The company reported that all treatment facilities receiving wastewater since the incident have been verified to be compliant and authorized for industrial wastewater treatment.
HMGMA has been in close communication with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) to address its wastewater management concerns and implement improvements. The company operates an industrial wastewater treatment system and has upgraded its equipment to ensure compliance with permit levels. Specifically, a dissolved air flotation (DAF) system has been acquired and commissioned to treat discharges adequately. A recent investigation revealed that elevated metal levels in the pipes at the Metaplant were affecting both domestic and industrial wastewater streams. As a result, HMGMA plans to replace the pipes at the plant, with work expected to commence soon and completion anticipated for September. The company has emphasized its commitment to environmental responsibility and compliance with all relevant laws and regulations concerning wastewater management, citing its interest in preserving the health of waterways in the Coastal Empire region where it operates.
The City of Savannah has been actively involved in addressing Hyundai’s wastewater issue, having issued a permit to accept the plant’s industrial wastewater on a temporary basis. Following the observation of non-compliance in mid-September, the City ceased receiving wastewater from HMGMA and subsequently issued a Notice of Violation on October 1. Collaboration with the Georgia EPD and Bryan County has been initiated to facilitate corrective actions and address the concerns surrounding Hyundai’s wastewater management. By coordinating efforts with relevant environmental agencies and local authorities, the City of Savannah aims to ensure that Hyundai’s car factory in Georgia can resume production without further wastewater-related disruptions. As Hyundai and HMGMA work to resolve the wastewater issue and implement corrective measures, they are demonstrating their commitment to environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance in their operations.
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