Mesh nets used in the Morocco Mountains

Climate change has caused drought in the Anti-Atlas mountains around Morocco, whilst this has pressured women to condense fog to water, according to The Media Line on May 19th. This was done by using mesh collectors on Mount Boutmezguida, which has supported villages around Ait Baamrane.

Over the last few years, the quantity of water in Morocco has decreased due to dry wells and desertification. The lack of the non-renewable source has influenced the women-led programme, which was set up by Dar Si Hmad. The mechanism collects Atlantic flog, whilst filtering and storing it into Moroccan homes. Recently, this has been titled as one of the world’s-best experiments to combat climate change and to increase water quantity. Prior to the system installation, for three hours a day women received water from secluded and dehydrated wells

The methods of the mesh collectors are traditional because of its simplicity. This happens as fog moves through the nets and dew sticks to the mesh. Water droplets fall into the containers, whilst gravity and pipes take over. The structure collects around 6,300 daily, whilst water moves through the filters. Uniquely, this is mechanised by solar panel energy and the Fog Observatory Centre, powers from fog water and solar electricity.

In conformity with the United Nations Framework Convention, on the topic of climate change, the project involves various types of equipment. This includes 600 square meters of nets, seven reservoirs with 539 cubic meters of space, six solar panels, and piping measuring 10,000 meters. The water meters help initiate connections with five villages and provides for Moroccan homes. This benefits for more than 400 inhabitants and most of them being women.

This invention has transformed individual’s lives socially and physically. Dar Si Hmad female led team has accommodated workshops, literacy and numeracy training for the rural Berber women. Local women were gifted mobile phones and were taught to report on the system. This helps conserve their regular role as water managers; updating their technology.

The new systems and structures will not defeat Morocco’s water problem on its own. North Africa has endured years of drought and in Ait Baamrane, ground water is no longer dependable. However, this scheme highlights how efficient change can be when it is local and resourceful. Additionally, Dar Si Hmad has helped develop other fog-water projects in the south and plans to reach more villages and Moroccan homes.

The Media Line/Maghrebi