In Opposition to Desertification

Using Wastewater as a Regenerating Resource for Community Crops in San Pedro de Atacama. 

At the exhibition '70 % Less CO2' you can explore the project 'In Opposition to Desertification'.

Water is a scarce and precious resource in the driest place on earth: Chile’s Atacama Desert.

This project explores how to clean and repurpose wastewater in the oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama, thereby replenishing the local aquifer with clean water.

The project proposes a wastewater treatment plant and a cistern from where locals can get clean water for their community-driven crops – enabling the inhabitants to sell and consume unpolluted products. The cleansed water will seep into the underground and replenish the aquifer. 

The crop-watering methods are based on established technologies already present and rooted in the area’s indigenous practices.