LOS ANGELES, United States. Water workers in Los Angeles have released 20,000 shade balls into the city’s reservoir to improve its water quality.
The black, 4in plastic balls are weighted down with water inside, which keeps them in place to block the sunlight from the water’s surface.
The balls are aimed at protecting the water from dust, rain, wildlife and chemical reactions caused by the sun. They should also stop the reservoir’s water from evaporating.
The $34.5mn project involves the release of 96 million balls at the 175-acre reservoir in Sylmar.
Los Angeles is the first city in the US to use the balls, which are made in the city for 36 cents each. They are now helping improve water quality across three reservoirs.
The idea came from now-retired biologist at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Dr Brian White, who was inspired when learning about the use of bird balls in ponds along airfield runways, made to keep birds away from planes.
The shade balls last for about 10 years, after which they will be removed, recycled and replaced.
LADWP general manager Marcie Edwards says the project is “a blend of how engineering really meets common sense”.
Other solutions included splitting the reservoir or installing floating covers that would have cost $300mn.
She added: “We saved a lot of money. We did all the right things.”
Mayor Eric Garcetti says the balls will conserve 300mn gallons of water that would otherwise evaporate every year.
He added: “While it’s meeting the minimum standards, we want to go beyond that and have the healthiest water so we’ve been spreading these balls everywhere.”
The city has already reduced its water use by 13% in the midst of the drought, Mr Garcetti says.
