Sustainable Fog Water Harvesting in the Ecuadorian Andes: A Comparative Study of Synthetic and Organic Fiber Collectors

Fog water harvesting is a sustainable technology that is ideal for areas with scarce water sources and high humidity, which facilitates the formation of fog. This study evaluated the efficiency of two types of fog collectors, one made of Saran fiber and the other of Yute fiber, in the Pichikra commune, Loja, Ecuador. The meshes, measuring 1 × 1.5 m, were installed at a height of 2 m and included a collection system consisting of a PVC gutter and a hose that directed the water to a storage tank. A descriptive statistical analysis and a non-parametric analysis of variance (Kruskal-Wallis) were performed. Meteorological variables, including temperature, altitude, precipitation, relative humidity, wind direction, and wind speed, were taken into consideration. The collected volumes were 9.4, 11, and 23.1 L for the Saran mesh, and 10.4, 11.1, and 24.4 L for the Yute mesh during October, November, and December, respectively. No significant differences in efficiency were observed between the two materials (p-value = 0.3015). The pH of the fog water remained in a range of 5.5–6.5, suggesting a slightly acidic level. This study highlights the importance of researching fog water collection, providing valuable insights to enhance the future utilization of this technology.