Alan E. Rimer, Black & Veatch International

 

ABSTRACT 

 

The world's water resources are becoming strained and many in the world have limited access to potable water. During the fast-paced growth of the semiconductor industry over the last several decades, water has become a precious commodity. This has happened in spite of the fact that in many cases the industry has chosen to locate in arid climates where water is scarce.  Why should the semiconductor industry consider reuse? As the demand for scarce water resources grows, and communities face impaired streams that require higher levels of wastewater treatment and required recharge of groundwater aquifers, reuse will become more important. The question is whether the industry can rise to the occasion and embrace reuse.