Maybe using desert water to irrigate alfalfa fields is not the highest and best use of a resource.
(While most of the Alfalfa grown is used domestically, much is exported - to China and Saudia Arabia; I'd rather use that water to support domestic Chip Production. From Google AI: "Alfalfa grown in Arizona is primarily for domestic livestock, but the exported portion is mainly to the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, UAE) and China, driven by their growing dairy and livestock industries. Middle Eastern companies historically imported significant amounts to their home countries for animal feed, though these operations faced recent lease terminations due to water concerns. China has long been the largest importer of U.S. alfalfa, including Arizona's, to meet its demand for high-quality feed.
Key Export Destinations:- China:
China is a major importer of U.S. alfalfa, including hay from Arizona, due to its need for high-quality animal feed for its expanding dairy and livestock industries.
- Middle East (Saudi Arabia, UAE):
Foreign-owned companies, such as Almarai and Fondomonte, grew alfalfa in Arizona for export to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. However, some of these operations have recently ceased due to lease terminations and scrutiny over their groundwater use.")
From Google AI: "In Arizona, agricultural use accounts for the vast majority of water consumption, around 72-74% of the total, while industrial use, including chip factories, makes up only about 6%. For example, one modern semiconductor factory can consume as much water as 33,000 households in a single day, but this is a tiny fraction compared to the immense water demands of irrigated agriculture in the state.
Agriculture's Dominant Role
- Majority Use: Irrigated agriculture is Arizona's largest water user, consuming the majority of the state's water.
- Significant Volume: Between 2010 and 2020, Arizona farms used approximately 4 billion gallons of water daily, equating to nearly 1.5 trillion gallons per year.
- Portion of Total: This accounts for roughly 72-74% of Arizona's total annual water usage.
Chip Factory Water Use- Industrial Sector:
Industrial water use, which includes chip factories, accounts for a much smaller portion of Arizona's total water use, around 6%. - High Per-Facility Demand:
While the overall industrial percentage is small, a single chip factory can use a substantial amount of water, potentially requiring 10 million gallons of ultrapure water per day.
- Water Treatment and Recycling:
The semiconductor industry uses vast quantities of water, especially for ultrapure water production. They are investing in water recycling and reduction technologies, though.
Key Comparison
- The water used by one or even multiple large chip factories, despite their individual high consumption, is a minuscule part of Arizona's total water supply compared to the ongoing need to irrigate vast agricultural lands.
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