Exploring an Alternative Water Source

By 2030, global demand for water is predicted to exceed supply by 40%, highlighting an urgent need for innovative solutions to address water scarcity. Amidst this crisis, Canadian startup Permalution has emerged with a novel fog-harvesting technology, inspired by an earlier drought in California that prompted entrepreneur Tatiana Estevez to take action.

In 2015, during California’s severe drought, Estevez witnessed the dire consequences of water scarcity. The devastating financial and emotional toll on the region sparked her curiosity. Observing the fog rolling over San Francisco, she questioned why this natural water source wasn’t being utilized. This led her to research fog collection methods, resulting in the founding of Permalution in Sherbrooke, Quebec.

Permalution has developed a modular fog collection system, capable of harvesting up to 2,000 litres of water daily. Although fog harvesting might sound futuristic, the concept dates back centuries to the Inca Empire and has gained renewed relevance as water scarcity becomes more pressing worldwide. The current global water crisis is exacerbated by climate change and the overconsumption of freshwater resources, leaving nearly half of the global population without reliable access to clean water.

Corinne Schuster-Wallace, an expert in water security, emphasizes the severity of the situation. She identifies two main areas for addressing water scarcity: improving supply and managing demand. Water-efficient technologies can help meet increasing demands while finding new sources and enhancing storage methods is crucial to augment supply. Fog harvesting stands out as a viable solution, especially in regions where it is consistently foggy and humid.

Over the past nine years, Estevez and her team have refined their fog-catching system. Their process begins with predictive modeling to identify fog "hot spots," followed by the installation of polypropylene mesh membranes in these locations. These netting designs, which have increased from 20 to 100 square meters, efficiently capture water droplets from fog, channeling them into cisterns for use in irrigation or filtration.

Interestingly, fog can yield more water than rainfall due to its unique form—tiny droplets that can be effectively collected using horizontal netting. The design of Permalution’s system mimics the natural water-holding mechanisms observed in tall trees, such as sequoias and redwoods, which also capture water from fog.

Since 2018, Permalution has collaborated with the state of Nayarit in Mexico, enhancing fog harvesting technology to support the region's ecology, particularly for endangered orchid species requiring significant water intake. The success of this initiative has led to plans for expanding the project.

Permalution's technology is versatile and applicable across various sectors, including agriculture and industry, with ongoing projects in Abu Dhabi, and several initiatives in Mexico. Although fog harvesting is not a comprehensive solution to the broader water scarcity crisis, experts recognize its simplicity, affordability, and scalability as significant advantages.

Compared to traditional methods like desalination and deep groundwater extraction, fog harvesting is less energy-intensive and minimizes environmental disruption. Estevez notes that her technology offers a sustainable and efficient means of sourcing water in the world’s driest regions, demonstrating a promising path forward in addressing the ongoing challenge of water scarcity on the planet.