Abstract

The use of fog water as a complementary water source has been widely demonstrated. Several research and practical approaches reinforce that fact. But there is a question remaining, why is it not full of fog collectors everywhere. We propose to analyze the perspective of fog harvesting as a complementary water resource for local communities. We state that fog harvesting can diversify the water sources as photovoltaic energy has revolutionized the energy ones. This work considers two main approaches: 1. To model how much water the local geographical conditions can produce considering topography, climatology, plus data from a network of 5 Standard Fog Collectors (SFCs) connected each one with a dedicated meteorological station. In addition, GOES satellite images were used to model the spatial and temporal distribution of fog presence. As last, an assumption of technology of 9 Large Fog Collector (LFCs) installed in a standard but efficient manner over every hectare of surface previously classified as suitable for fog water production. 2. In the social side, resident population was identified under census 2017 data and considered under the criteria of the Sustainable Development Objectives (SDO) number #6 in water safety, two thresholds based in WHO, 50 and 100 liters person day was considered as a minimum volume reasonable to be satisfied. Is relevant to don´t forget we are in a rural area of a developing country in the driest desert on earth. With this data a network of water needs was configured. As results, fog water production and social water requirements were contrasted with the aim of understand if the estimated water from fog combined with the considered LFCs technology, can support totally or partially the basic water needs of the resident population, or even more, there is water remaining to improve their quality of life or start thinking in new uses of the key resource.