In the driest places on Earth, where rain is scarce, and water shortages threaten daily life, scientists are looking to an unlikely solution: fog. A new study suggests that by capturing tiny water droplets from the air, fog could become a source of unlimited renewable water, offering hope for drought-stricken communities.
Researchers tested this concept in Alto Hospicio, Chile, a city on the edge of the Atacama Desert, the driest non-polar region on the planet. With less than one millimeter of rainfall per year, residents depend on ancient underground aquifers that haven’t been replenished in over 10,000 years. As climate change worsens water scarcity, experts are searching for sustainable alternatives.
Using simple mesh panels, researchers developed a system that traps water from fog as it drifts through the air. The droplets collect on the mesh, run into a gutter, and then flow into storage tanks. It’s a low-cost, low-maintenance way to create an unlimited renewable water source without requiring electricity.
Over the course of a year, scientists found that each square meter of mesh could capture an average of 2.5 liters of water per day. During peak fog season, that number jumped to 10 liters per day. With a 17,000-square-meter fog farm, communities could collect 300,000 liters of water per week. That’s more than enough to meet the needs of thousands of people.
Dr. Virginia Carter Gamberini, one of the study’s lead researchers, calls this a significant shift in how we think about fog. Traditionally seen as a small-scale, rural solution, fog harvesting could become a practical urban water supply, helping cities combat climate-driven water shortages. It’s a bit outside the box, but it truly would unlock an unlimited renewable water source for many struggling communities.
As megadroughts and urban expansion put more pressure on water resources, the need for unlimited renewable water has never been greater. The researchers argue that fog harvesting could help correct social inequalities, ensuring that vulnerable communities aren’t left behind in the fight for water security.
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