Innovative technology

CloudFisher: The Original Fog Collector

Water harvesting from fog

The WaterFoundation’s CloudFisher is an innovative fog-to-water system designed for use in suitable mountainous and coastal regions.
This technology uses a three-dimensional, fine-meshed net suspended in a stable frame to collect water droplets from fog.
Our fog catcher can withstand wind speeds of up to 120 km/h, requires little maintenance and needs no energy.

CloudFisher – a fantastic idea for arid mountain and coastal regions

In the highlands of Morocco, Tanzania and Bolivia, as well as on the coast of Peru, the WaterFoundation’s CloudFisher has been providing numerous villages and schools with a reliable and low-maintenance supply of clean drinking water for years. The water obtained can also be used in agriculture, for livestock breeding and reforestation projects.

In remote mountainous and coastal regions, where rain falls infrequently, groundwater is sometimes absent, but wind and fog are common, CloudFisher ensures greater independence and a sustainable improvement in living conditions for students and farming families.

Small droplets collect in the fine-mesh net

They flow from the mesh into the pipes via the collecting channel

The CloudFisher – researched, tested and developed with experts

The CloudFisher consists of a three-dimensional fine-mesh net that is suspended in a steel frame together with a stabilizing geogrid. Rubber expanders provide the necessary tension and flexibility. This is how the CloudFisher can withstand high wind speeds of up to 120 km/h. In extreme weather, the expanders serve as predetermined breaking points so that the nets are not damaged.

The construction can be installed quickly and easily, requires no energy and is very low-maintenance. This makes it easier for the local population to use the technology, as they are responsible for its long-term functionality.

The CloudFisher is the result of several years of joint development work by the WaterFoundation and the Munich industrial designer Peter Trautwein (www.aqualonis.com). The WaterFoundation is continuously working on further developing the design and its materials.

Example of a CloudFisher-System

Where are our CloudFishers located?

Fogcollectors in Eritrea

In 2007, the first 20 fog nets were set up together with the project partner FogQuest: 10 simple collectors each in the villages of Nefasit and Arborobue in Eritrea, which are located at over 2,000 meters above sea level.

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CloudFisher in Morocco

The largest system in the world has been in operation in the Anti-Atlas Mountains of Morocco since 2018. On average, 22 liters of water are “harvested” per square meter of net per year. With 31 CloudFisher units (with 1,740 square meters of net area), this corresponds to approximately 37,092 liters per fog day. This provides the 16 villages with approximately 1,300 residents with about 12 liters of water per day for each family member.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHgx3wjbim0&t=14

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CloudFisher in Tanzania

As of 2022, 14 CloudFisher collectors of various sizes (total net surface area 336 m2) will supply around 4,000 students at 14 schools in the Babati district with fresh drinking water.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni0s0ixGKYE

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CloudFisher in Bolivia

In the highlands of the Andes, a fog collector system with 14 CloudFisher units (336 square meters of net surface) has been in operation in the community of Alto Veladero since 2022, serving the local farming families, two schools and neighboring settlements – a total of around 1,000 people.

Video:  https://youtu.be/RnCxbRYk0Ck

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CloudFisher in Peru

37 CloudFisher (total of 296 square meters of net area) have been providing around 1,000 people and 400 students in Santa Rosa – a disadvantaged neighborhood near Lima – with clean drinking water since 2024. Now they no longer have to rely on expensive water deliveries by tanker and can also create gardens for growing vegetables.

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Where can CloudFisher be installed?

The CloudFisher is suitable for dry mountainous and coastal regions with high fog and wind volumes, such as in Ethiopia, Australia, Chile, Colombia, Eritrea, Iran, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, North America, Oman, Peru, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, or Yemen.

Probable locations of the CloudFisher

Research first – then build

Every fog project begins with meteorological data collection on wind speed and direction, relative humidity and temperature, precipitation and the amount of water collected. These findings are used to decide whether the location is suitable for collecting water from fog and how the collectors should be optimally aligned to the wind.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about our CloudFisher projects.

The advantages of fog collectors at a glance

What restrictions are to be considered?