PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) is pouring another $100 billion into its massive north Phoenix expansion, solidifying Arizona’s position as a global semiconductor hub.
But as the chipmaker grows, so do concerns over how much of the desert’s strained water supply the plant will consume—and whether it will affect local residents’ taps.
With Colorado River cuts, many question if it’s a good idea to bring water-intensive industries to the desert right now.
The daily pull: 4.75M gallons
Inside TSMC’s Water Resource Center, engineers confirm the facility uses 4.75 million gallons of water per day. The water is sourced through the City of Phoenix’s water portfolio, utilizing a little bit of groundwater, but the bulk of it is reclaimed wastewater…