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Fog nets

Harvesting drinking water from fog

Fifteen new CloudFishers for Morocco

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    In the spring of 2016, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) approved funding for construction of the world's currently largest fog collector facility (1,627 m2) on Mount Boutmezguida. By the end of 2018, it will supply 14 villages with clean drinking water harvested from fog. The Aït Baamrane region in the Anti-Atlas Mountains borders on the Sahara and, because of its semi-arid climate, is one of the driest areas in Morocco. WaterFoundation Ebenhausen and the Moroccan NGO, Dar Si Hmad, are jointly responsible for project management and implementation. Munich Re Foundation is a project partner and contributes half the equity capital required. 

    Construction work for the first 15 CloudFishers began in January 2017, the new collectors were ready by May. The construction measures in the impassable mountain region were extremely challenging and strenuous. A successful outcome is therefore all the more important. 

    1/17:During the foggy season from December to June, thick fogs regularly form above the Anti-Atlas Mountains in Morocco.
    During the foggy season from December to June, thick fogs regularly form above the Anti-Atlas Mountains in Morocco.
    2/17:The new project field is being built above the test collector, which was installed in 2013. It is essential that the individual collectors are accurately aligned to the main wind direction. Only then can the highest water yields be achieved.
    The new project field is being built above the test collector, which was installed in 2013. It is essential that the individual collectors are accurately aligned to the main wind direction. Only then can the highest water yields be achieved.
    3/17:Transporting the excavator up into the impassable mountain region was the first major challenge facing the project team, led by the German industrial designer, Peter Trautwein (WaterFoundation Ebenhausen). Another challenge was the extremely rocky ground on the mountainsides. Large holes had to be dug out for the foundations.
    Transporting the excavator up into the impassable mountain region was the first major challenge facing the project team, led by the German industrial designer, Peter Trautwein (WaterFoundation Ebenhausen). Another challenge was the extremely rocky ground on the mountainsides. Large holes had to be dug out for the foundations.
    4/17:A great deal of painstaking manual work was required on site.
    A great deal of painstaking manual work was required on site.
    5/17:The fog collectors need strong foundations to withstand the gusty winds of up to 120 km/h. Handmade wire baskets ensure that the concrete foundations are firmly anchored.
    The fog collectors need strong foundations to withstand the gusty winds of up to 120 km/h. Handmade wire baskets ensure that the concrete foundations are firmly anchored.
    6/17:The Moroccan project staff concentrate on their work: the foundations must be staked out accurately and the formwork built.
    The Moroccan project staff concentrate on their work: the foundations must be staked out accurately and the formwork built.
    7/17:The steel anchors for the main supports are concreted into the foundations.
    The steel anchors for the main supports are concreted into the foundations.
    8/17:The combined efforts of the entire team are required to attach the heavy steel posts of the collector frames to the ground anchors. Everyone pitches in with enthusiasm.
    The combined efforts of the entire team are required to attach the heavy steel posts of the collector frames to the ground anchors. Everyone pitches in with enthusiasm.
    9/17:Workers adjust the hinged clamps for the bracing at a height of six metres. The four CloudFisher nets have a total surface area of 54.24 square meters. On average, they produce 22 litres per square metre of drinking water.
    Workers adjust the hinged clamps for the bracing at a height of six metres. The four CloudFisher nets have a total surface area of 54.24 square meters. On average, they produce 22 litres per square metre of drinking water.
    10/17:The small building (on the right of the photo) houses a high-tech laboratory, a utilities room and accommodation facilities for the entire team. The men lived together here in these confined spaces for many weeks. The small solar panels on the roof supply the power. The test collector installed in 2013 is already supplying the drinking water.
    The small building (on the right of the photo) houses a high-tech laboratory, a utilities room and accommodation facilities for the entire team. The men lived together here in these confined spaces for many weeks. The small solar panels on the roof supply the power. The test collector installed in 2013 is already supplying the drinking water.
    11/17:Mohamad has been working for the Moroccan NGO, Dar Si Hmad, for many years now. He lives in one of the villages below Mount Boutmezguida. His family home is also supplied with fog water.
    Mohamad has been working for the Moroccan NGO, Dar Si Hmad, for many years now. He lives in one of the villages below Mount Boutmezguida. His family home is also supplied with fog water.
    12/17:Following roughly eight weeks of hard work on the mountainside, the steel structures for 15 CloudFishers were in place at the beginning of March 2017.
    Following roughly eight weeks of hard work on the mountainside, the steel structures for 15 CloudFishers were in place at the beginning of March 2017.
    13/17:The team began to fasten the 3D fabric to the plastic support grid in May 2017.
    The team began to fasten the 3D fabric to the plastic support grid in May 2017.
    14/17:The sandwich structure, consisting of the 3D mesh and the support grid, is attached to the steel girders with strong rubber expanders. The collecting troughs for the water are then installed.
    The sandwich structure, consisting of the 3D mesh and the support grid, is attached to the steel girders with strong rubber expanders. The collecting troughs for the water are then installed.
    15/17:The new fog collectors are ready for action.
    The new fog collectors are ready for action.
    16/17:Peter Trautwein and his team are proud and content. The first fifteen of the 30 CloudFishers have been installed. The next fifteen will follow in spring 2018.
    Peter Trautwein and his team are proud and content. The first fifteen of the 30 CloudFishers have been installed. The next fifteen will follow in spring 2018.
    17/17:Let the fog come!
    Let the fog come!
    Clouds and fog
    © Munich Re Foundation

    Project partners

    Logo WaterFoundation
    Fog nets
    WaterFoundation
    Logo Dar Si Hmad
    Fog nets
    Dar Si Hmad