Fog Water Harvesting as a Sustainable Solution for Drinking Water Scarcity in Southern Coastal Iran

Iran faces a growing freshwater crisis, especially in its southern coastal regions where urban centers suffer from severe drinking water shortages due to drought, population growth, and limited freshwater sources. Interestingly, these areas experience high atmospheric humidity and frequent fog events, which present an untapped opportunity for alternative water sourcing. This paper explores fog water harvesting (FWH) as a sustainable, low-cost technology to alleviate drinking water scarcity in southern coastal Iran. We analyze climatic data from key cities such as Bandar Abbas, Chabahar, Qeshm, and Kish to estimate fog water availability and assess the efficiency of existing fog harvesting systems, including mesh collectors and cylindrical brush designs. Results from previous studies and pilot projects indicate that fog water yields can reach up to ۶۰ liters per square meter per day in this region, with costs significantly lower than seawater desalination. We discuss the technical feasibility, economic considerations, and environmental impacts of implementing fog water harvesting at both urban and rural scales. This study highlights the potential for fog harvesting to complement conventional water supply systems in southern Iran, providing a sustainable path to address growing water scarcity issues.

کلیدواژه ها:

Fog water harvesting ، drinking water scarcity ، southern Iran ، coastal regions ، atmospheric moisture ، sustainable water supply ، fog collector technology