TSMC's first plant in Kumamoto, Japan, faces ongoing local concerns one year after beginning full-scale operations. Residents cite two primary issues: the large volume of water required for production and potential contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
JASM, TSMC's Japanese subsidiary, responded by detailing its operational controls. The company recycles approximately 75% of the water used daily. Furthermore, JASM monitors wastewater to standards stricter than legal regulations.
JASM claims its water recharging efforts return three times the amount of groundwater consumed for manufacturing. These efforts include flooding rice fields during winter months. While acknowledging PFAS use, JASM asserts that substance levels remain well below international drinking water targets and have decreased over time.