Fog harvesting represents an innovative passive technology for atmospheric water extraction in regions where conventional water sources are scarce or inaccessible. This comprehensive review synthesizes empirical data from operational fog collection systems, with emphasis on the landmark Dar Si Hmad project in Morocco’s Anti-Atlas Mountains adjacent to the Sahara Desert. Utilizing polypropylene mesh nets deployed at optimal elevations (1,200 meters above sea level), these systems intercept advective fog originating from the Atlantic Ocean, yielding 10–22 liters of potable water per square meter daily under favorable conditions. The Moroccan installation, comprising approximately 1,700 m² of CloudFisher collectors, produces an average of 6,300 liters daily, serving over 400 beneficiaries across 14 villages in the Aït Baamrane region. Recent scientific studies from Chile’s Atacama Desert document peak collection rates of 10 liters per square meter per day during optimal seasons, with annual averages of 2.5 liters per square meter per day. This technology operates entirely through passive physical principles—gravitational drainage of condensed droplets—requiring zero external energy input and minimal maintenance. Beyond technical performance, fog harvesting demonstrates profound socioeconomic impacts: women previously spending three to four hours daily fetching water from depleted wells now allocate time to education, agriculture, and economic activities.
Zen Revista (Sun,) studied this question.