Fogwater harvesting in Bolivia

The beginnings of fog harvesting 

Our project launch in Bolivia in 2019 was not the beginning of the fog net journey. New to Bolivia, fog harvesting technology has a long history, with the first prototypes dating back to the 1960s in Chile. However, challenges such as high winds and solar radiation required improvements. In close coordination and co-operation the Water Foundation, aqualonis GmbH, and the Technical University of Munich, continued to develop the technology, resulting in the creation of the so-called CloudFisher. The new collector design displayed some key improvements over the simple Raschelmesh panels that had been used in previous experiments: the use of three-dimensional mesh, the application of expanders, a fixed positions of the water troughs and more stability.  

Following joint projects between the Munich Re Foundation and the WaterFoundation in Tanzania and Morocco, and further lessons learned from these projects, fog collectors were installed in the Valles Cruceños region of Bolivia in 2022.

Increasing water scarcity

Water availability is becoming increasingly unpredictable, leading to droughts and exacerbating water scarcity in some regions. Ensuring sustainable water and sanitation services for all is crucial for mitigating climate change and preventing water-related diseases and biodiversity loss. Strategies for sustainable water management have never been more urgent.

Bolivia is also highly affected by water scarcity, especially in the Valles Cruceños region. The uneven distribution of rainfall throughout the year, combined with a lack of large-scale water storage and distribution infrastructure, limits the availability of water to local communities. Despite these challenges, the region's agricultural activities, particularly the production of fruit and vegetables, demand a substantial amount of water. Although this region faces water scarcity, there is another form of water available: fog. The project uses this abundant resource to address the water challenges that are essential for the well-being and development of the local population. 

Location and impact

The project installed CloudFishers at four sites, benefiting over 400 people by providing a safe and reliable water source with drinking water quality.

• Alto Veladero school site: 128 people (110 students, 18 staff), 13 CloudFishers, 102.6 m² mesh area, up to a maximum of 35,000 litres of water per month.

• Central Veladero and Sahuintito Veladero: 170 people (43 families), 5 CloudFishers in Central Veladero, 12 CloudFishers in Sahuintito, 134.2 m² total mesh area, ensured year-round water supply.  

• Sivingalito: 120 people (32 families), 12 CloudFishers, 94.7 m² mesh area, with connection to the main water network. 

Veladero School site example

The graphs show the fog collector system at the Veladero School site and the total amount of water collected by the CloudFisher system each month. To compare performance between sites, the volume of water per square metre of CloudFisher mesh was calculated. The fog collectors at the Veladero School are used exclusively to supply water to the teachers and students of the educational centre. At the other three sites, the water harvested is integrated into the community's water supply network.
The water yields of the other three sites can be found in the publication on page 47. 

Completely green technology

Fog harvesting is an effective technique for providing water in water-scarce areas with regular fog occurrences. The project in Bolivia shows that it's a sustainable way to produce water with minimal resources. The flexibility of fog nets allows for a modular approach, providing water during critical dry months without the need for special machinery or advanced technology. This environmentally sustainable method utilises natural condensation and gravity, making it a completely green technology. n addition, the maintenance costs in the project are low and the systems are easy to operate without technical knowledge, which benefits the municipalities. In addition, the maintenance costs in the project are low and the systems are easy to operate without technical knowledge, which benefits the communities. 

Social impact

But the project goes far beyond water collection. It includes skills training, water education, awareness raising on water management and hygiene practices. This is particularly important for the students at the school site, who benefit from this comprehensive approach. In addition, fostering respect for water and the environment from a young age helps to build resilience and promote environmental responsibility. Furthermore, fog nets have the potential to reduce inequalities in access to water, particularly in marginalised communities around the world.

Successful completion of the project

The project in Bolivia's Valles Cruceños region demonstrates how a simple, but pioneering initiative can revolutionize access to water. Driven by grassroots efforts, environmental education, and innovative technology, fog water harvesting means a considerable step forwards for local communities.

This journey, addressing water scarcity through collaborative efforts, showcases how the right approach can contribute to progress in the UN Sustainable Development Goals related to water, social, and environmental development.