A recent study from Chile highlights the potential of fog harvesting to provide drinking water for some of the world's driest cities, particularly the desert city of Alto Hospicio. With average annual rainfall below 0.19 inches (5mm), many residents face dire water shortages, relying on truck deliveries. Dr. Virginia Carter Gamberini, leading the research at Universidad Mayor, emphasized the social challenges exacerbated by these water shortages.
Fog Harvesting: A Solution for Arid Cities in Chile
Fog Harvesting: A Solution for Arid Cities in Chile
Researchers propose fog harvesting as a sustainable water source for water-scarce urban areas.
Fog harvesting technology employs a fine mesh to capture moisture from fog. When fog-laden clouds pass through the mesh, tiny droplets form and are collected in tanks for later use. Although this technique has seen limited application in rural parts of South America, there remains great potential for large-scale, urban adoption, as evidenced by a successful system in Morocco’s Saharan region.
Using satellite imagery and weather forecasts, the team calculated that Alto Hospicio's unique fog conditions could yield over 300,000 liters of water weekly—enough to replace current trucked water supplies for slum communities. This fog water could also be instrumental in supporting hydroponic agriculture.
Alto Hospicio is situated near the Atacama Desert, where water scarcity is exacerbated by overexploited underground aquifers, mainly used by mining operations. As urban populations swell, alternative water sources are critical. The researchers note that Chile's geographical features—a long coastline and mountainous regions—make it ideal for fog harvesting.
In efforts to further explore this potential, Dr. Carter’s team is mapping fog harvesting opportunities across Chile, aiming to promote resilience against climate change and increase access to clean water through this innovative solution.
Using satellite imagery and weather forecasts, the team calculated that Alto Hospicio's unique fog conditions could yield over 300,000 liters of water weekly—enough to replace current trucked water supplies for slum communities. This fog water could also be instrumental in supporting hydroponic agriculture.
Alto Hospicio is situated near the Atacama Desert, where water scarcity is exacerbated by overexploited underground aquifers, mainly used by mining operations. As urban populations swell, alternative water sources are critical. The researchers note that Chile's geographical features—a long coastline and mountainous regions—make it ideal for fog harvesting.
In efforts to further explore this potential, Dr. Carter’s team is mapping fog harvesting opportunities across Chile, aiming to promote resilience against climate change and increase access to clean water through this innovative solution.
