Researchers are investigating the viability of fog harvesting as a solution to fresh water provision in countries suffering prolonged drought. Scientists believe low-cost collection systems have the potential to efficiently capture tiny water droplets suspended in the air, for use in agricultural irrigation and for household drinking and washing.
Studies suggest that such systems could be used not only in areas frequented by fog, such as coastal regions, but also to capture the water from clouds in mountainous areas. The International Development Research Centre has cited Chile, Peru and Ecuador as prime locations for fog harvesting, as well as the Atlantic coast of southern Africa, South Africa, Cape Verde, China, Eastern Yemen, Oman, Mexico, Kenya and Sri Lanka.
The collection systems proposed include those which use a mesh net spread between two posts at an angle perpendicular to the prevailing wind carrying the fog. As the wind passes through the mesh, drops of fresh water form and drip into a gutter, which is connected to a storage tank via pipes. The thicker the fog, higher the wind speed and tighter the mesh, the more efficient the harvesting system. The water-harvesting rate ranges between 5.3 litres per square metre a day and 13.4 litres per square metre a day depending on variables such as season and location.
This is an intriguing possible sustainable solution to water scarcity.
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Researchers are investigating the viability of fog harvesting as a solution to fresh water provision in countries suffering prolonged drought. Scientists believe low-cost collection systems have the potential to efficiently capture tiny water droplets suspended in the air, for use in agricultural irrigation and for household drinking and washing.
Studies suggest that such systems could be used not only in areas frequented by fog, such as coastal regions, but also to capture the water from clouds in mountainous areas. The International Development Research Centre has cited Chile, Peru and Ecuador as prime locations for fog harvesting, as well as the Atlantic coast of southern Africa, South Africa, Cape Verde, China, Eastern Yemen, Oman, Mexico, Kenya and Sri Lanka.
The collection systems proposed include those which use a mesh net spread between two posts at an angle perpendicular to the prevailing wind carrying the fog. As the wind passes through the mesh, drops of fresh water form and drip into a gutter, which is connected to a storage tank via pipes. The thicker the fog, higher the wind speed and tighter the mesh, the more efficient the harvesting system. The water-harvesting rate ranges between 5.3 litres per square metre a day and 13.4 litres per square metre a day depending on variables such as season and location.
This is an intriguing possible sustainable solution to water scarcity.