Debrecen4U June 5, 2026

CATL Green Liquid Case: Authorities Detect No Toxic Substance But Find Discharge into Sewer System Illegal

According to the Hajdú-Bihar County Government Office, the permit for CATL’s wastewater pre-treatment facility has been revoked, proceedings have been launched against the company, and fines are also expected following the incidents of 5 May. The authority stated that the pollution has since been eliminated by the company, while several investigations remain ongoing.

A green-coloured liquid appeared on the surface at CATL’s Debrecen plant on 5 May. According to the company’s statement, a pressure test had been carried out at the site using water dyed green. Following the incident, the environmental protection and water management authorities of the Hajdú-Bihar County Government Office ordered an immediate on-site inspection. The authority reported that the investigation began immediately after the event, and accredited wastewater and surface water samples were collected later that evening, among other measures.

In response to an enquiry from Médiacentrum Debrecen, the Hajdú-Bihar County Government Office provided detailed information regarding the incident at CATL’s facility. According to the statement, the water management authority revoked through an extraordinary decision the approval previously granted for the industrial wastewater pre-treatment facility and ordered the company to clean both the municipal sewage network and the stormwater drainage system.

A parallel investigation by the environmental authority found that the green liquid waste generated during the testing process had been discharged into the sewer system in breach of regulations. As a result, proceedings have been initiated against the company. According to the Government Office, CATL remedied the pollution within the prescribed deadline; however, both authorities are planning to impose fines due to the regulatory violations.

The authority recalled that an immediate inspection was carried out following the incident, with accredited samples collected from several locations on the same evening and subsequently analysed in a laboratory. Based on the results obtained so far, no contamination harmful to human health has been detected. However, additional investigations are still underway, and the public will be informed once further results become available.

The Government Office also emphasised that sampling results published on various online platforms cannot be regarded as reliable if the sampling and testing procedures were not conducted through a fully accredited process. According to the authority, the incorrect interpretation of data or errors in converting measurement units may also lead to misleading conclusions. Therefore, only certified measurement results are taken into account in official proceedings.

In connection with the case, the Minister for Rural and Settlement Development has also ordered an extraordinary investigation to fully determine the extent of any potential contamination.

Source and photo credit: dehir.hu