The Nueces County Drainage District No. 2, which manages Tesla's 231,000-gallon daily discharge from its nearly $1 billion lithium refinery in Robstown, Texas, has issued a cease-and-desist letter demanding that Tesla halt its wastewater flow pending further discussion. Independent lab testing revealed traces of hexavalent chromium, arsenic, and elevated levels of lithium in wastewater from the refinery. The district has recommended Tesla install an on-site multi-stage wastewater treatment plant with reverse osmosis technology, heavy metals removal systems, and either a hazardous waste disposal plan for concentrated brine or a zero-liquid discharge system. The situation highlights a gap in the regulatory framework around the refinery, which Tesla claims uses its “acid-free” process as a cleaner alternative to traditional lithium refining. The company's Senior Manager of Site Operations, Jason Bevan, stated that the company routinely monitors and tests its permitted wastewater discharge and is reviewing the letter from the drainage district.