A comprehensive yearlong assessment has unveiled the promising potential of fog water collection near a city in northern Chile's Atacama Desert. Conducted by Virginia Carter Gamberini, a geographer at Universidad Mayor in Santiago, Chile, and her colleagues, the study reveals that up to 5 liters of fog water can be harvested per square meter each day. This breakthrough offers a glimmer of hope for over 8 million Chileans currently facing water stress due to prolonged megadroughts and ineffective water management.
The Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth, experiences moist air from coastal fog known as "camanchaca" during winter and spring. This natural phenomenon presents an opportunity for fog water collection, particularly in the densely populated urban areas of the desert where hundreds of thousands are at risk of severe water scarcity. Researchers discovered that during the foggy months, between 0.2 and 5 liters of water could be captured per square meter daily in various locations near the city.
Higher-elevation areas in the region have shown greater potential for fog water harvesting, making them ideal sites for this innovative solution. In Alto Hospicio, a rapidly growing settlement with a weekly water consumption requirement of approximately 300,000 liters, fog harvesting could significantly alleviate water shortages. It is estimated that 17,000 square meters of mesh would be necessary to meet the settlement's water needs.
Currently, nearly all drinking water in Alto Hospicio is transported from aquifer drill sites located 70 kilometers away. However, fog water collection is not an entirely new concept for rural communities in arid regions, which have relied on this method for years to secure fresh drinking water. The process involves a simple setup, usually with a 1-meter-square mesh sheet suspended vertically and positioned towards the fog-laden wind to maximize water capture.
Looking ahead, Chile faces the looming threat of recurring water shortages by 2050. Integrating fog water collection into the country's water management strategies could serve as a sustainable supplement to existing sources. The straightforward and cost-effective nature of fog harvesting makes it an attractive option for both urban and rural communities grappling with limited resources.
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