According to a notice from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, on August 6, 2023, a complaint was received at their office in Harlingen, South Texas, alleging that SpaceX “released water without the approval of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.” It contained 14 complaints. The alleged environmental impacts of the facility's system were noted.
The situation surrounding SpaceX’s Starbase launch station in Boca Chica could have serious consequences for the company. The company has requested permission to carry out up to 25 launches and landings per year of its Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket.
On July 25, 2024, a TCEQ environmental inspector conducted an “internal compliance record review” to determine whether SpaceX was in compliance with wastewater regulations.
The investigation found that SpaceX released industrial wastewater without permission four times between March and July of this year.
The purpose of the water-immersed, flame-arrested systems is to dissipate the heat, sound and energy generated during test flights and rocket launches. However, SpaceX did not install this system at its Boca Chica launch site before the test flights of its largest rocket ever, Starship. An explosion during Starship’s first test flight sent chunks of concrete flying into a nearby nature reserve, home to several endangered species. Additionally, a 3.5-hectare fire destroyed Boca Chica State Park.
Additional sewage releases could lead to further investigations and criminal charges, said environmental engineer Eric Roche. Coastal ecologist Kenneth Teague says the data is particularly troubling. High concentrations of mercury have been found in wastewater from SpaceX's deluge system.
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