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Discover How Fog Water Harvesting Can Alleviate Water Scarcity in Arid Regions, Such as the Atacama Desert
In places where rain is scarce, water becomes a precious and hard-to-access commodity. Alto Hospicio, in Chile, is an example. Located in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest regions on the planet, the city faces significant challenges.
A recent study evaluated the use of fog nets as a sustainable solution to complement local water supply. The results are promising: up to 10 liters of water per square meter can be collected daily, a volume sufficient for human and agricultural consumption.
Water Challenge in One of the Driest Places on Earth
The Atacama Desert records less than 1 millimeter of rainfall annually. This extreme condition makes it one of the most arid environments on the planet.
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The cities in the region rely almost exclusively on coastal aquifers, formed thousands of years ago, between 17,000 and 10,000 years ago. However, this ancient and scarce resource is not enough to supply the growing population.
To address this challenge, Chilean researchers evaluated fog water harvesting. The technique involves capturing and storing moisture present in atmospheric fog.
According to Dr. Virginia Carter Gamberini from Universidad Mayor, the research represents a new perspective on fog use, elevating it from a small-scale rural solution to a complementary resource for cities.
How Fog Nets Work
Fog nets are simple yet efficient. They consist of a mesh suspended between two posts. This mesh intercepts moisture, causing water droplets to accumulate and drain into a trough that directs the liquid into storage tanks. The system does not require external energy to operate.
The field study in Alto Hospicio lasted one year and revealed encouraging results. The rapidly growing city has around 10,000 residents in informal settlements.
Only 1.6% of these people have access to potable water networks. Most rely on water trucks to obtain water. For Carter, fog water harvesting can significantly improve the quality of life for local residents.
Results and Application Potential
Research indicated that in an area of 100 square kilometers around Alto Hospicio, it would be possible to collect between 0.2 and 5 liters of water per square meter per day, depending on location and weather conditions.
The greatest potential lies in elevated terrain located outside the urban area. During August and September 2024, the system reached its peak efficiency, collecting up to 10 liters per square meter daily.
According to Nathalie Verbrugghe from the Free University of Brussels, this study may pave the way for broader use of the technique in urban areas experiencing water scarcity.
She emphasizes that fog harvesting should be part of a comprehensive urban water management strategy and not viewed as an isolated solution.
Challenges for Large-Scale Implementation
For the system to operate on a large scale, investment in infrastructure will be necessary. Robust storage systems, piping networks, and distribution would be required.
With an average annual collection rate of 2.5 liters per square meter per day, it is estimated that an area of 17,000 square meters equipped with nets could produce 300,000 liters of water per week, sufficient to meet the demand of urban settlements.
Additionally, an area of 110 square meters of net could provide 100,000 liters of water per year to irrigate green spaces in the city. The collected water can also be used in soilless agriculture, allowing for the production of up to 20 kilograms of leafy vegetables per month.
Factors for Replication
Replicating this system in other regions depends on factors such as fog density, wind patterns, and the presence of elevated terrain. The seasonality of clouds must also be considered, as it can vary in some locations.
Future research will explore options for adoption in large urban areas. “We hope to encourage policymakers to integrate this renewable source into national water strategies,” concluded Carter.
With information from Ecoinventos.
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