05/22/2026
Researchers in Chile are studying fog harvesting as a potential supplemental water source for dry regions near the Atacama Desert.
In places such as Alto Hospicio, where water scarcity is a major issue, large mesh nets can capture tiny droplets from fog moving through coastal and mountainous areas. The collected water then drains into storage systems for uses such as irrigation, agriculture, or drinking water after treatment.
Fog harvesting is a real and proven technique already used in several arid regions worldwide. However, it is generally considered a supplemental water source rather than a complete replacement for traditional infrastructure because output depends heavily on local weather and fog conditions.