Project Clearinghouse

Fog Water Collection for Critical Irrigation Needs at the UCSC Farm

Sustainability Problem and Proposed Solution: 

California is in a historic drought which may continue indefinitely and will likely become more extreme due to climate change. In spite of the potential stresses on coastal California communities, water from marine fog is not being used to its full potential. Using mesh fog-water collectors, freshwater can be harvested for irrigation or drinking. Farms in coastal California and other foggy places can learn to harvest fog water for immediate use as irrigation water to augment current sources.

Jump to: Contact | Project Description | How to Join | Metrics for Success | Results
Project Categories: 
Buildings & Facilities
Land, Habitat, Watershed
Energy & Climate
Awareness, Education & Engagement
Water
Project Status: 
In Progress
Project End Date: 
12/01/2024
Campus Organization: 
Carbon Fund
Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems
Project Location: 
On campus

CASFS, UCSC Agroecology Program


Stakeholder Contacts: 
Contact NameEmail AddressContact NumberDepartment
Peter Weiss
pweiss@ucsc.edu
8314591616
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicolog
How to Join: 
email pweiss@ucsc.edu

Project Description: 

Characterize the local climate of the Farm to identify three ideal locations, in terms of maximum fog water obtainable, for installation of permanent LFCs. Construct and install the LFCs and the irrigation systems.
Quantify water collection from each LFC and calculate the benefits of fog water collection in terms of the water offsets and food calorie creation.

Metrics for Success: 

By measuring the amount of water collected that drips off the fog collector into a rain gauge, and comparing that to the water needs of the areas being irrigated.

Result Categories: 
Infrastructure/Built Environment
Technology
Education/Outreach
Data Collection & Analysis
Results: 

Deploy standard (1 m2) fog collectors (SFCs) and anemometers at several potential locations on the UCSC farm as an initial test to determine the 3 best locations to install permanent LFCs.

Install 3 permanent LFCs at the ideal locations on the Farm and direct the water to key locations for irrigation. Track water collection and wind characteristics to address research questions.

Provide paid research opportunities to undergraduate students by creating both Work-study and non Work-study positions.

Conduct public outreach through a website that displays the real-time wind conditions, water collection rates at each LFC, and an estimate of food calories generated per liter of water collected.