Taiwan semiconductor manufacturer arranges water truck, tightens water restrictions due to low rainfall

TAIPEI, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Taiwan's semiconductor manufacturers are arranging for water trucks to be sent to the country's dams to supply water to the country's poorest people. Taiwan's dams in the central and southern parts of the country are holding less than 20 percent of their water due to low rainfall and the absence of typhoons during the summer, prompting authorities to tighten water restrictions.

Taiwan's semiconductor manufacturers have been asked to address the shortage of on-board semiconductors, and if the water shortage continues, it could have a negative impact on the supply of semiconductors.

Water supply restrictions on factories in central and southern cities, where large science parks are located, will be tightened from the 25th.

We are preparing for the worst case scenario," Wang Mei-hua, Taiwan's Minister of Economic Affairs, told reporters on April 23. We expect companies to reduce their water use by 7-11%," he said.

With low rainfall expected to continue for the next few months, Taiwan's water utility, Jirai Shui, said this week that it had entered "the most severe phase" of the crisis.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world's largest contract manufacturer of semiconductors, this week arranged for water trucks to supply a small amount of water to some of its facilities in the region.

The company told Reuters it was "preparing for future water needs" and said production had not been affected at this time.

Vanguard International Semiconductor and Lianhua Electronics Corp (UMC) have also arranged for water trucks, but said production had not been affected.

Taiwan's high-tech companies have long been plagued by chronic water shortages, which have become an even more serious problem as the U.S.-China trade war has led to increased production in the region.