Bolivia
Background
The project area lies in a mountainous region with scattered villages and winding roads – perched between 500 and 3,000 metres above sea level. In Alto Veladero there is virtually no rain from April to November. Rivers and wells dry out, and drinking water needs to be rationed and collected from remote mountain springs that are only accessible after long journeys on foot.
The water is often contaminated by cattle troughs or by agrochemicals in the soil.
People in Veladero already have some experience in collecting water from fog. Together with its partner on the ground, the Instituto de Capacitación del Oriente (ICO), Zabalketa set up first-generation fog collectors in 2014/2015 at three locations: Veladero School, Veladero Central, and Veladero Saguintito.
Unfortunately, the rather simple fog collectors at that time did not hold out for long against the powerful gusts of wind and the strong sunlight. But the experience gained showed that the area around Alto Veladero offers great potential for fog harvesting.
Target group
The school in Alto Veladero and the people in the neighbouring village of Saguintito will be supplied with drinking water. A total of around 370 people are set to benefit from the aqualonis fog nets.
Location
Project start
Duration
Fog collectors
Beneficiaries
Partners
Alto Valedero and Sivingalito, Region Valle Cruceños
2019
until 2021
14 collectors with a total net area of 336 square meter
370 people
WaterFoundation, Munich Re Foundation, Zabalketa, Instituto de Capacitación del Oriente (ICO)
The water collected with the fog collector is initially used for drinking and cooking. If there is any water left after the basic needs, it will be used for the vegetable garden at Veladero’s school.