William Semiconductor manufacturing requires a tremendous amount of pure water, something Kumamoto is famous for and a main reason why TSMC chose our town as location for its new fab. But pure water is not an unlimited resource. Kumanichi points out several steps planned to be taken to ensure resupply of Kumamoto’s aquifers and aspects of its use. A few take-aways: ① The amount of groundwater extraction is projected to be about 3% of the greater Kumamoto City area - that is as lot. ② Water use is expected to be 12,000 cubic meters of groundwater per day - about 5 Olympic-size swimming pools every day all year. ③ Eleven municipalities have been designated as “priority areas” where groundwater levels are declining under the prefectural groundwater conservation ordinance in which area groundwater extraction will be regulated by the prefectural government and Kikuyo town. ④ The article notes, “In wells undergoing testing, not much of a drop in water levels due to water intake has been noted” (so they say - and “not much” is open to interpretation). ⑤ Growing severity of water shortages in Taiwan has been a major factor in the choice of Kikuyo, and TSMC is focusing on water recycling, targeting 70% - 75%. ⑥ Ancillary plants will require further water, though how much remains unclear. ⑦ On a positive note, farmers in the middle reaches of the Shirakawa River, mainly in the towns of Otsu and Kikuyo, will be payed to fill their farmland with water before and after planting to increase aquifer replenishment targeted at 416 hectares; however, due to a decrease in farming along with the aging society, only 362 hectares have thus far been secured. (Ironically, this could be good for Kumamoto rice farmers.) ⑧ The traditional May to October flooding of paddies may be extended to allow for greater percolation. We will keep an eye on this and try to let you know what is actually occurring.