Researchers have discovered that fog water could be a practical solution to combat water stress in larger desert cities. In rural communities in arid regions, tiny droplets of fog have been harvested for years as a source of fresh drinking water. A recent study published in Frontiers in Environmental Science has shed light on the potential of fog water as a supplement to alleviate water scarcity in places like the Atacama Desert in northern Chile.
The Atacama Desert is known for its extreme aridity, with over 8 million people in Chile facing water stress due to megadroughts and poor water management. The situation is expected to worsen by 2050, posing a threat to the population. In particular, rapidly growing cities like Alto Hospicio, located on the outskirts of Iquique, are at risk. Most of the drinking water in Alto Hospicio is transported from aquifer drill sites 70 kilometers away, putting a strain on the region’s water resources.
During the winter and spring months, the Atacama Desert experiences coastal fog known as “camanchaca,” which provides some relief by moisturizing the arid landscape. This fog water can be harvested using simple methods, such as suspending mesh sheets to collect water droplets as the fog passes through. The researchers found that between 0.2 and 5 liters of fog water could be collected per square meter per day in various locations around the city, with higher elevations offering greater potential.
While fog water alone may not meet the city’s total water consumption needs, it can serve as a supplemental source to alleviate pressure on existing water sources. Alto Hospicio requires approximately 300,000 liters of water per week, which would necessitate 17,000 square meters of mesh for collection. As the city continues to expand, the demand for water is expected to increase. However, fog harvesting presents a glimmer of hope in the desert, offering a sustainable solution to water scarcity in the region.
By harnessing the natural phenomenon of fog water, desert cities like Alto Hospicio have the opportunity to diversify their water sources and reduce their reliance on groundwater. With proper implementation and scaling, fog harvesting could play a crucial role in ensuring water security for communities facing water stress in arid regions.
