Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the complexity of water usage in semiconductor manufacturing, highlighting that while fabs consume millions of gallons of water daily, much of it is recycled and reused within the facility, with actual consumption primarily occurring through evaporation in cooling systems [2][3][29]. Water Usage in Semiconductor Fabs - Water is essential for advanced chip architecture, lithography, and backend packaging, serving multiple roles including cooling and waste transport [2]. - The average daily water usage in semiconductor fabs can reach millions of gallons, with cooling towers being the primary source of water loss due to evaporation [2][4]. - In hot and arid regions, evaporation plays a dominant role in water loss, while in cooler climates, the loss is significantly lower [2][4]. Water Management Strategies - Fabs are increasingly implementing smarter wastewater classification, reuse, and heat recovery technologies to reduce water demand [2][5]. - The water intake for a large fab can be equivalent to the water usage of a city with a population of one million, but most of this water is treated and reused within the facility [3][4]. - The water system in modern fabs consists of interconnected cycles, where raw or recycled water is treated to become ultra-pure water (UPW) for wafer processing [4][5]. Reuse and Recycling - Water undergoes multiple usage cycles within the fab, with ultra-pure water typically used only once, while other water types are collected for reuse in less sensitive applications [5][12]. - Companies like UMC have achieved high water recovery rates, with UMC reporting an overall process water recovery rate of 84.3% [12][13]. - The use of recycled water is prioritized, with UMC's Singapore facility using approximately 97.6% recycled water in 2024 [13]. Infrastructure and Planning - Municipal water suppliers must demonstrate their capacity to meet long-term water needs for industrial projects, as seen in Phoenix, Arizona [3][7]. - Effective water management requires long-term planning and infrastructure development to support semiconductor manufacturing [7][8]. Challenges and Innovations - The purity of water is a critical factor that limits reuse; maintaining high purity levels is essential for advanced manufacturing processes [9][10]. - Digital twin technology is being utilized to optimize water and chemical flows, allowing for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance [16][17]. - The industry faces challenges in measuring persistent chemicals at trillionth-level concentrations, which complicates water management strategies [26][27]. Conclusion - The key issue is not the volume of water used by fabs, but rather how much is recycled and how much is truly consumed, with evaporation being a significant factor in water balance [29]. - Effective water management strategies, including classification, routing, and monitoring, are essential for sustainable semiconductor manufacturing [29].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the ecological restoration efforts along the Jialu River in Zhengzhou, emphasizing the importance of water quality and biodiversity in urban environments [1][3][11]. Group 1: Ecological Restoration Efforts - Zhengzhou has initiated comprehensive governance of the Jialu River, focusing on river channel remediation, ecological greening, and pollution control since 2016 [3][11]. - The city has implemented the "Jialu River Protection Regulations" and established a monitoring network for ecological and environmental data sharing [4][11]. - Over 110 kilometers of sewage interception pipelines have been laid along the riverbanks, along with the construction of several sewage treatment plants to ensure comprehensive sewage collection and treatment [4][11]. Group 2: Biodiversity and Water Quality - The Jialu River has been observed to host over 230 species of birds, indicating a rich biodiversity that reflects the health of the ecosystem [1][9]. - The water quality of the Jialu River has consistently maintained above Class IV, with specific monitoring points showing improvements from inferior Class V to Class IV, aiming for Class III by 2024 [9][11]. - The river's ecological restoration has led to the establishment of a natural ecological pattern, supporting various protected bird species and enhancing the overall environmental quality [9][11]. Group 3: Community Engagement and Economic Development - Community activities, such as bird watching events, have been organized to raise awareness about local biodiversity and engage youth in ecological education [1]. - The Jialu River is being developed as a key waterway for regional transportation, linking major cities and promoting the growth of port-related industries [8]. - The river's revitalization has transformed it into a popular recreational area for residents, contributing to the city's cultural and ecological landscape [5][11].

Core Viewpoint - The steel industry in China is undergoing a transformation towards high-end, intelligent, and green development, with a focus on efficient water resource management and industrial wastewater treatment as key challenges [1][3]. Group 1: Company Initiatives - Baogang Group has pioneered a "zero discharge" approach to industrial wastewater, turning pollution into a resource and setting a new benchmark for efficient water resource utilization in the steel industry [3][5]. - The total wastewater treatment project at Baogang is the first large-scale zero discharge project for concentrated saline wastewater in the domestic steel industry, capable of treating 350 cubic meters of wastewater per hour [3][5]. - 95% of the treated wastewater is converted into high-quality recycled water for core processes like iron smelting and steel rolling, reducing the consumption of new water from the Yellow River by nearly 3 million tons annually [5][7]. Group 2: Technological Innovations - The remaining 5% of high-concentration saline wastewater is transformed into high-purity sodium chloride and sodium sulfate crystals through evaporation and crystallization technology, re-entering the economic cycle as industrial raw materials [5][7]. - Baogang employs a chemical coagulation and sedimentation method for fluoride removal, achieving a fluoride concentration below 1.5 mg/L, resulting in an annual reduction of 112 tons of fluoride emissions [5][7]. Group 3: Industry Impact - Baogang's investment of nearly 10 billion yuan in ultra-low emission renovations and water management projects marks a shift from passive treatment to proactive recycling [7]. - The transformation from "wastewater" to "clean water" illustrates a successful model for cost reduction and efficiency improvement, providing a replicable green development model for the industry [7]. - The company emphasizes that water resource recycling is not an alternative but a necessary path for the future green development of the steel industry [7].