Intel’s Ocotillo manufacturing and development Campus in Chandler,
Arizona has won an award from the U.S. EPA regarding water reduction
and recycling strategies. The Water Efficiency Leader (WEL) awards
promote the efficient use of our water resources across America.
Intel was cited for three key initiatives at the Ocotillo campus that
led to the collective recycling of 75 percent of the water used during
manufacturing of semiconductors. Intel was also able to take back 825
million gallons of treated wastewater from the city’s wastewater plant
as part of the recycling efforts and was noted for the internal re-use
of 530 million gallons of water. The treatment of 575 million gallons
of water to drinking water standards was then returned to the local
underground aquifer.
At the recent ISMI Conference, an Intel
presentation highlighted that between 1998 and 2006, it has invested
more than $100 million on water conservation strategies at its
manufacturing facilities and over $20 million spent specifically at its
Ocotillo campus. Intel has three fabs at the site: Fab12, Fab 22, and
Fab 32.