Researchers have found that harvesting fog water can be a practical solution to water stress in larger desert cities. In northern Chile’s Atacama Desert, a yearlong assessment found that it’s possible to collect as much as 5 liters of fog water per square meter each day. This discovery could help address the water scarcity issues faced by over 8 million people in Chile and decrease the threat of recurring water shortages by 2050.
The Atacama Desert is home to fast-growing, densely populated cities, such as Alto Hospicio, where the majority of drinking water is trucked in from aquifer drill sites located 70 kilometers away. The region also receives coastal fog, known as “camanchaca,” in winter and spring. Fog collection involves suspending a mesh sheet vertically to collect water droplets from the fog-loaded wind. The researchers found that between 0.2 and 5 liters of fog water could be harvested per square meter per day, showing the potential of fog water as a sustainable water source.
Even though fog water harvesting has the potential to supplement water resources in desert cities like Alto Hospicio, the current volume harvested is not sufficient to meet the city’s water consumption needs. The city requires about 300,000 liters of water weekly, which would require 17,000 square meters of mesh to collect. However, as the city continues to grow, the demand for water will also increase. Despite this challenge, researchers believe that fog harvesting could offer a glimmer of hope in combating water scarcity in desert regions.
The Atacama Desert faces the dual challenges of a megadrought and poor water management practices, putting millions of residents at risk of water stress. The region heavily relies on groundwater for mining and agriculture, further exacerbating the water scarcity issues. As a result, the importance of exploring alternative water sources, such as fog water harvesting, becomes even more critical to ensure sustainable water availability for the growing population in desert cities.
Fog collection is a simple yet effective method to harvest fresh drinking water in arid regions. The process involves collecting water droplets from passing fog by using mesh sheets suspended vertically in the wind. The fog from the nearby coast provides a valuable source of moisture for desert fauna and flora, highlighting the significance of fog water in supporting local ecosystems. Researchers have identified areas near cities like Alto Hospicio where fog water harvesting could be implemented to supplement existing water resources.
In conclusion, fog water harvesting shows promise as a sustainable water solution for desert cities facing water stress. The potential to collect significant volumes of fog water in regions like the Atacama Desert could help alleviate the water scarcity issues faced by millions of people. While fog water harvesting alone may not meet all water consumption needs, it can serve as a valuable supplement to traditional water sources. By exploring innovative water solutions like fog harvesting, communities in arid regions can work towards building a resilient and sustainable water supply for the future.
