Water from Fog Catcher Net

Shreeram Ghimire
Kathmandu

            UN says, 85% people of this planet live in driest half of planet with 1 in every 10 people have no access to safe drinking water. With this devastating figure, new systems like collection of water from cold fog net have been introduced. The Cold Fog Net system is based on principle of collecting dew in stem of trees during ancient time. Modern method of developing fog net was firstly practiced by Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) during 1980s. The fine mesh is suspended 1.5 m above ground between two posts. Canal of bamboo or PVC pipe is assembled at bottom where every drop of water settles and is drained by pipe to collection system.

          Arid and semi arid region can use this system. It can provide 200-250 liters of water every day depending on size of net, height of net and nature of climate. The water is safe for drinking and can be used for irrigation.

        Today, more than 25 countries have practiced this method. One of typical example is capital city of Peru, Lima. More than 6500 people are directly benefited by installing fog catcher net in arid region of Lima where people use collected water for drinking and farming purpose. Chile is next good example where annual precipitation is very low. Similarly adventurers and researchers use this technique to collect water in arid region.

          Remote areas of Nepal with strenuous condition of drinking water where light wind flows can practice this system. Terai region can collect millions liters of water during winter. Even mid hill area facing problem of irrigation during winter can use this system. Agencies are needed to find feasibility information about climate and geography.