What happened

The FAA is investigating another environmental offense by SpaceX on Jul 28 while testing a new launch safety system involving gallons of water released without permits.

Why it matters

SpaceX failed to obtain permits required by federal water laws to discharge industrial wastewater from this system. While other launch sites have state permits for wastewater discharge, SpaceX did not apply for a state permit for their water deluge system in Texas.

The Environmental Protection Agency's website states that individuals or businesses that intentionally or carelessly discharge pollutants into U.S. water bodies from a designated "point source" without obtaining the necessary permit could be subject to legal actions for enforcement. Consequences for these violations could involve potential incarceration and fines ranging from $2,500 to $50,000 per day.

The industrial process of water falls under the Clean Water Act as a controlled pollutant. The mixture of heat, sediment, and various chemicals within the wastewater can lead to the deterioration of the natural balance in nearby wetlands and a gradual decline in water quality.

What now

This is not the first case of environmental misconduct by SpaceX. The FAA is still investigating the entity for its April 2023 launch.