These reticols take water from the fog of the mountains: so they solved the drought in Morocco

In the south-west of Morocco there shortage of water It has become a crucial question. The Region, in particular around Sidi Ifni,, with serious consequences for the life of residents and agriculture. However one innovative solution allows villages to collect water surprisingly: The suspended rhetos.

These rhetoricals are positioned on mountains such as the MONTE BOTMEZGUIDAat over 1200 meters above sea level, where the climatic conditions are in favor of the formation of dense fog. This phenomenon is caused by‘humidity brought by marine currents of the Atlantic, which condenses to contact with the cold air of the mountains.

The rhetoricals, with an inverted drop shape, capture the droplets present in the airwhich then turn into water through condensation. This technique is inspired by similar methods used in Atacama desert in Chile.

A tangible change in daily life

The installation of the collectors was launched in 2010 thanks to the initiative of a mathematician, Aissa Derhemand anthropologist Jamila Bargach. They created the Dar Si Hmad Foundation to create this innovative solution. In collaboration with the German NGO WassesTiftung, they have placed the lattices on an area of ​​1,700 m²providing drinking water to different villages. Today this system serves Sixteen villagesfor a total of about 1,000 inhabitants.

The rhetoricals collect on average 37,000 liters of water per daywhich are stored and filtered before being distributed. The water, despite being distilled, comes mixed with underground water to make it drinkable. This collection system is particularly crucial in areas where water resources are practically non -existent and allows you to integrate water sources sustainablely.

This water collection technique has a direct impact on the daily life of the villages. Many remember the hours spent looking for water. Now, the water flows from the tap, even if paid. To encourage responsible management of this precious resource, residents pay one Rate of 7 dirham per meter cube of water (about 65 euro cents), a figure that represents a small burden compared to the average income of the region.

The successes of this system are encouraging other similar projects, such as that provided for Mount Tabttistwhich should Increase the water collection by 18% Compared to Boutmezguida. Thanks to these initiatives, hope is returning by communities that once were facing difficult life conditions due to drought.