In the desert city of Alto Hospicio, Chile, scientists have proposed an innovative water solution: fog harvesting. This method could provide a reliable drinking water source for the impoverished areas of the city, which faces a severe lack of rainfall, averaging just 0.19 inches (5mm) annually. According to Dr. Virginia Carter Gamberini from Universidad Mayor, many residents live in slums without access to potable water systems and depend on water delivered by trucks.
Fog Harvesting: A Sustainable Water Source for Arid Cities
Fog Harvesting: A Sustainable Water Source for Arid Cities
Research in Chile reveals that fog harvesting could be a solution to the water scarcity in some of the world's driest cities, particularly Alto Hospicio.
Researchers have identified fog as a significant, yet underutilized water source. Utilizing a simple yet effective system, fine mesh nets can capture moisture from fog. As the moisture-laden fog passes through the mesh, water droplets collect and are channeled into storage tanks for use. While this form of water harvesting has been in practice for decades in various parts of South America, a recent study indicates that it can be scaled up to meet the demands of urban populations.
Dr. Carter and her team conducted comprehensive assessments on the water yield from fog harvesting, analyzing satellite images of cloud patterns and weather data. Their findings, published in the journal *Frontiers of Environmental Science*, suggest that the fog produced by the Pacific Ocean and carried over the city could generate substantial amounts of water for its slum-dwelling residents.
With fog collection averaging 2.5 liters per square meter of mesh daily, the researchers determined that a mesh area of 17,000 square meters could meet the weekly water requirements of 300,000 liters currently supplied by truck, while 110 square meters could support the irrigation needs for urban green spaces. Additionally, harvested fog water could bolster hydroponic farming, yielding up to 44 pounds (20 kg) of vegetables monthly.
As climate change exacerbates water scarcity issues, leveraging "water from the clouds" could empower cities like Alto Hospicio to enhance their resilience and improve overall access to clean drinking water. Dr. Gamberini emphasizes the unique advantages Chile possesses for fog harvesting, largely owing to its coastal mountains and abundant ocean fog. Her team's next step involves creating a comprehensive "fog harvesting map" of Chile.
With the population in arid regions on the rise and pressure on existing water supplies mounting, increasingly innovative techniques like fog harvesting may offer critical solutions for sustainable urban water management worldwide.
Dr. Carter and her team conducted comprehensive assessments on the water yield from fog harvesting, analyzing satellite images of cloud patterns and weather data. Their findings, published in the journal *Frontiers of Environmental Science*, suggest that the fog produced by the Pacific Ocean and carried over the city could generate substantial amounts of water for its slum-dwelling residents.
With fog collection averaging 2.5 liters per square meter of mesh daily, the researchers determined that a mesh area of 17,000 square meters could meet the weekly water requirements of 300,000 liters currently supplied by truck, while 110 square meters could support the irrigation needs for urban green spaces. Additionally, harvested fog water could bolster hydroponic farming, yielding up to 44 pounds (20 kg) of vegetables monthly.
As climate change exacerbates water scarcity issues, leveraging "water from the clouds" could empower cities like Alto Hospicio to enhance their resilience and improve overall access to clean drinking water. Dr. Gamberini emphasizes the unique advantages Chile possesses for fog harvesting, largely owing to its coastal mountains and abundant ocean fog. Her team's next step involves creating a comprehensive "fog harvesting map" of Chile.
With the population in arid regions on the rise and pressure on existing water supplies mounting, increasingly innovative techniques like fog harvesting may offer critical solutions for sustainable urban water management worldwide.
