Water has moved to the boardroom – what does this mean for semiconductor fabs today?

As UltraFacility 2026 rapidly approaches, we're taking a look back at what was on everyone's mind last year. In an interview recorded at the UltraFacility 2025 Conference, Aquatech’s Michael Lesniak explores how declining water quality, increasing scarcity and climate volatility are reshaping fab operations.

Water has become a significant operational risk for semiconductor manufacturers. Growing water scarcity and increasingly unpredictable supply are central to fab decision-making now.

Lesniak explains how fabs can de-risk production through rigorous water risk assessment, resilient procurement strategies, and integrated system design – and why traditional approaches are no longer sufficient.

The conversation covers:

• Why legacy procurement models no longer pass muster, and how new approaches are changing the game
• Water treatment technologies gaining real traction in fabs today
• Zero liquid discharge: why everyone’s talking about it and the realities of implementation
• Engineering sustainability from the ground up
• Change management in an ever-changing industry

Watch the full interview to find out how the industry is future‑proofing fab water systems – and why collaboration across the facilities ecosystem is key.