SCIENTISTS are banking on fog to supply water to rural communities - because climate change is drying up several water sources.

Scientists yesterday told Deputy Minister of Environment and Water Affairs Rejoice Mabudafhasi that the "fog-net mode is a clean and environmental friendly source" of water that should be used in water-stressed areas.

The project, run by the University of Pretoria and the South African Weather Service, is aimed at "harvesting" water from fog.

Scientists said the mode has passed the clean-water test and had been declared the cleanest water source worldwide.

Prof Jan Olivier said using the fog-net mode would prove "to be essential" to stricken communities.

Stakeholders say more funds are needed to make the project work more efficiently.

Weather Services' chief executive Linda Makuleni said the launch of the project was aimed at incorporating all affected municipalities as water service providers.

Mabudafhasi agreed that the module was essential for water service delivery and that municipalities should buy into the fog-net project.

It is currently operating in Limpopo, Eastern Cape and Western Cape and water experts said the project could also operate in Kwazulu-Natal due to its "fog-net potential".

Scientists agreed that if the fog was trapped efficiently, mist could contribute hundreds of litres to communities when collected from fog-net gutters and transferred to water tankers.