Abstract

Chile is experiencing persistent water scarcity due to prolonged drought and the impacts of climate change, requiring a comprehensive approach that integrates both demand and supply-side water management strategies. Among supply alternatives, unconventional water sources, such as fog water harvesting, offer the potential to enhance water security. Despite its promise and existing experience in its development, the broader implementation of fog water harvesting remains limited by the lack of clear legal status and regulatory frameworks surrounding its infrastructure and use. This article analyses the current legal context of fog water in Chile, highlighting the need for clear regulations governing its ownership, collection, storage, distribution and use. A proposed regulatory framework is presented to facilitate the responsible and effective integration of fog water as a complementary resource, thereby contributing to water scarcity mitigation and strengthening societal resilience.