Asianometry TSMC Arizona: What About the Water?
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Nov 16, 2025 The discussion dives into the surprising water needs of TSMC's Arizona facility, using up 18,000 cubic meters daily. The podcast explores why a water-intensive factory is built in Phoenix, showcasing its unique advantages. It tackles complex questions about agricultural water demands vs. industrial growth and highlights historical drought challenges. The show also examines innovative water recycling methods that TSMC is implementing, and considers future water needs, emphasizing the balance between economic benefits and resource sustainability.
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Desert Location Still Has Manageable Water
- Phoenix offers TSMC water via surface supplies, aquifers, and reclaimed sources despite being a desert.
- The city's water situation is scarce but manageable with recycling and planning.
Arizona's Four Water Sources
- Arizona sources water from Colorado River allocations, in-state rivers, reclaimed water, and groundwater.
- In 2020, 36% came from Colorado, 18% from in-state rivers, and 5% was reclaimed water.
Huge Statewide Water Demand
- Arizona used about 7 million acre-feet of water in 2017, which translates to roughly 8.6 billion cubic meters.
- Urban conservation cut per-capita use while total demand remains large due to population growth.