ELLABELL, Ga. () – The Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) and Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) have both released statements regarding wastewater concerns.

ORK obtained documents through Georgia Open Records Act (GORA) requests, which reveal at least four months of HMGMA trucking wastewater off-site. According to the City of Savannah, levels of PH, solids, and metals in the plant’s wastewater were too high.

The City of Savannah and HMGMA have a temporary agreement where the city will treat Hyundai’s wastewater until the Bryan County Wastewater Treatment Plant is done being built later this year. Documents show HMGMA obtained a permit to pre-treat the wastewater to meet the City of Savannah’s standards.

According to a HMGMA spokesperson, the pipes installed at the Metaplant had high levels of metal.

Read HMGMA response below:

“In September 2024, HMGMA began discharging wastewater to the City of Savannah. Less than one month after discharge began, HMGMA, as required by permit, notified the city that our discharge amounts exceeded the limit for zinc, copper and total conductivity. HMGMA immediately stopped discharging and began a root cause analysis to determine the source.

In the meantime, HMGMA contracted with a specialized company to pump wastewater into tanker trucks and transport it off site to permitted facilities.

In late October 2024, one of the third-party contractor/haulers transported wastewater from HMGMA to a treatment plant that did not have the required permit for industrial wastewater but was permitted to accept domestic wastewater.  As soon as HMGMA was made aware of this issue, all operations with said contractor were ceased. HMGMA increased its oversight of the contract company to ensure this does not happen again. HMGMA has confirmed that all treatment facilities receiving wastewater from the site since that incident have been properly classified, permitted, and authorized to treat and dispose of industrial wastewater.

HMGMA has worked diligently with the GA-EPD on all aspects of our wastewater management issues and improvements.

HMGMA operates an industrial wastewater treatment system and has upgraded its equipment to better address the levels found. Previously, there was not a means to treat domestic wastewater. HMGMA has now procured a dissolved air flotation (DAF) system, which is being commissioned to ensure all discharges meet permit levels.

The investigation determined the pipes installed at HMGMA had elevated levels of metal that affected both domestic and industrial wastewater discharge streams. HMGMA decided the best course of action was to replace the pipes at the Metaplant. Work is expected to being soon, and we anticipate this to be completed in September.

HMGMA took this issue seriously and worked diligently to find a solution. We are committed to being good environmental stewards and to adhering to all applicable laws and regulations regarding wastewater. We live and work in the Coastal Empire and have a vested interest in keeping waterways healthy.”

Read the ORK statement below:

“Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) had been notified that wastewater created by the Hyundai Megasite’s industrial processes has been hauled away via tanker trucks since September 2024.

The original plan – agreed to by the City of Savannah, Hyundai, JDA, and state and local regulators – was to send the industrial wastewater via miles of purpose-laid pipe to the City of Savannah’s wastewater treatment plant. This process quickly ceased when the wastewater did not meet the agreed-upon pretreatment standards needed for the City’s facilities to be able to effectively receive and safely treat it. The wastewater exceeded acceptable standards for pH, solids, and metals including copper and zinc. As a result, the city rejected further acceptance of the wastewater until it met standards. 

Additionally, Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) also became aware of a potential issue with Hyundai’s alternative approach. EPD sent a letter of concern, outlining potential issues with having this wastewater hauled away in tanker trucks, including the need for the wastewater to still meet the pretreatment standards at each individual public treatment facility within the State of Georgia. 

It is unclear where the trucks are taking the wastewater, what pretreatment standards those locations may require, and whether Hyundai can meet those standards or have received the necessary pretreatment permits. However, EPD did issue a Notice of Violation following its initial inquiries with Hyundai. 

Hyundai confirmed that its industrial wastewater was taken away by a number of third-party haulers. Hyundai has also since acknowledged that one hauler was taking the wastewater to a treatment plant that did not have the required permits for industrial wastewater. Hyundai said they ceased using that hauler when they learned of the issue.

Meanwhile, the City of Savannah and Hyundai corresponded on the problems and how to fix them. As of mid-February 2025, it is unclear if the City of Savannah’s pretreatment standards have been met by Hyundai or if the city has begun receiving the wastewater again.”

Hyundai’s engineering contractor, Thomas and Hutton, statement also released a statement:

“During the start-up of a manufacturing facility, calibration of pretreatment systems is normal to ensure effluent limits are met. The industrial wastewater is treated, stored, and hauled to an approved facility until calibration is complete. This is a standard and responsible process for industrial wastewater.

 Trent Thompson, PE

Thomas & Hutton”