WaterSpot
WaterSpots are decentralized water catchment and treatment hubs that couple rain and fog harvesting with public gathering space.
WaterSpots are decentralized water catchment and treatment hubs that harvest rain and fog. One of the most under-utilized resources for water security in drier regions is fog. In semi-arid climates from San Francisco to Morocco, the influx and outflow of fog is a major part of daily life, yet there are few widespread systems in place to capture it for drinking purposes. As climate change progresses, doing so will become an increasingly important way of increasing water security. At the same time, climate change will cause rainfall in many semi-arid climates across the globe to decrease. Rain events that do occur are slated to be stronger and shorter. Maximizing our capacity to capture that water when it falls is a key to enhancing water resilience as climates shift.
WaterSpot accomplishes both these goals. A layer of steel filament mesh surrounds an inner catchment and treatment tube. Acting much like the needles of redwood trees, the mesh captures passing fog and transfers it to the treatment tube. The top of the tube extends to the top of the WaterSpot structure, allowing for catchment during rain events. All collected water is processed through a membrane aerated biofilm reactor, an energy efficient system based on spirally-wound respiring membranes. Once treated, water is pumped up to a waist-height drinking fountain, where users can fill water bottles and drink fresh water sourced onsite.
A layer of steel filament mesh surrounds an inner catchment and treatment tube. Acting much like the needles of redwood trees, the mesh captures passing fog and transfers it to the treatment tube. The top of the tube extends to the top of the WaterSpot structure, allowing for catchment during rain events. All collected water is processed through a membrane aerated biofilm reactor, an energy efficient system based on spirally-wound respiring membranes.
In addition to providing publicly accessible water catchment and treatment systems, WaterSpots are designed to serve as community gathering spaces. Seating and shade allows people to linger while they gather water, to learn about the WaterSpot system and water resilience in general, to chat with each other, and enjoy a respite from the day. Very much the watering holes of the 21st century, WaterSpots bring water catchment and treatment to the public realm, creating spaces where people can collectively celebrate the value of water.