Elon Musk's ventures, SpaceX and The Boring Co. reached a deal with the City of Bastrop and utility company Corix over controversial wastewater concerns. After a proposed plan to dump over 100,000 gallons of treated wastewater daily into the Colorado River sparked an outcry from Bastrop County residents, the new agreement seems to phase out fears associated with potential environmental impacts. In a statement obtained by the Austin American-Statesman, SpaceX representative A.B. Odzil expressed contentment, saying, "Being able to find a solution that benefits neighbors and promotes growth is a win for everyone."

Under the freshly-inked agreement, announced by Bastrop’s city manager Sylvia Carrillo, a wastewater line will be built along FM 969 to link up with the city's wastewater treatment plant. This move is designed to address the impact on the local water supply. Details by the Austin Business Journal suggest an antidegradation review had previously found that the quality of water wouldn't have been impaired by Boring Co.'s original plan to discharge treated wastewater, but community concerns steered the parties towards an alternate course.

The agreement unfolds nearly a year after Musk's companies initially sought permits for wastewater management raised eyebrows among environmentalists and legislators. Residents were worried about potential threats to the ecosystem and water quality due to chemicals such as phosphorus and nitrogen present in wastewater. SpaceX's push to build a treatment facility on the Boring Company’s R&D site in Bastrop, which also abuts a large SpaceX facility, had not been included in the original permit draft last year, turning heads at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality hearing back in March 2023.

Bastrop's water treatment plant, benefiting from this new deal, is expected to keep water rates low for the community while operating efficiently for years to come. Sylvia Carrillo, pointing out that SpaceX as a customer will contribute to offsetting the $32.6 million plant costs, said in an announcement relayed by the Austin American-Statesman, "This deal is exactly what the plant was built to accommodate."

While the deal may ease some tension in the community, it's not the first time Musk's endeavors have caused a stir in Bastrop County. Over the past few years, both SpaceX and The Boring Co. have faced multiple permit violations and complaints, contributing to a strained relationship with some locals. Some of these complaints, filed with the TCEQ, include issues related to lack of permits and stormwater concerns.