Bulloch County residents concerned about Hyundai's water plans - WJCL News Savannah

Bulloch County residents concerned about Hyundai's water plans

Will Bulloch County's water be impacted by Hyundai's plans? Drilling of new wells draws concerns

The wells will supply more than 6 million gallons of water a day to the new Hyundai metaplant, which is why residents in Bulloch County are worried they could run out of water.

South Bulloch High School’s auditorium was crowded Monday night with dozens of Bulloch County residents concerned over the new water wells coming to the area.

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPA) held an informational meeting in hopes of appeasing some of their concerns.

The Bulloch County Commission will drill four water withdrawal sites that would serve the Hyundai Metaplant coming to nearby Bryan County. Two of the four wells will be owned by Bulloch County, and the other two will belong to Bryan County.

The Metaplant is expected to employ more than 8,000 workers once fully operational.

Below file video: Chatham County braces for impact from new Hyundai Metaplant, 8,500 employee workforce

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Bulloch County citizens concerned about water supply in wake up officials drilling wells for Hyundai Metaplant

The wells will supply more than 6 million gallons of water a day to the plant, which is why residents in Bulloch County are worried they could run out of water.

One concerned citizen said farmers, specifically, could take a hit.

"Farmers with their pivots in their irrigation, if they have to, by bigger generators to generate more electricity to pull it up,” said Brian Pfund.

The EPA says research through two simulations of the wells’ impacts show that residential wells close to the well sites could be affected, but most will not.

“There are some that are close enough to the proposed location that if the Hyundai Mega-Site is pumping out capacity, they could experience up to 15 feet of impact on their residential well,” said Anna Truszyzynski.

Another concern Bulloch County residents had was saltwater leaking into the well's freshwater.

But Georgia EPA said that's not a possibility.

"Bottom line, saltwater is not going to reach anyone's wells," Truszyzynski said.

The grand opening of the metaplant is scheduled for the first quarter of 2025.