Great Balls of Plastic: How plastic balls may be the answer to California's drought problem

Millions of 'shade balls' released in Los Angeles reservoir.

Apple-sized black plastic balls were released in a reservoir in Los Angeles, California, in hopes they would help end the yearly drought experience in the area. Reports state that 96 million of these "shade" balls were now afloat in the reservoir, protecting the water from evaporation, dirt and other contamination. They are designed to deflect UV rays, making the water potable for human consumption. Other methods would have cost more in money and effort, so researchers believed these balls would be the best and more creative way to ending the cyclical problem.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) -  "In the midst of California's historic drought, it takes bold ingenuity to maximize my goals for water conservation. This effort by LADWP is emblematic of the kind of the creative thinking we need to meet those challenges," said Mayor Eric Garcetti, as he joined other officials in releasing the final 20,000 balls at a 175-acre Los Angeles Reservoir in Sylmar, California.

The idea to use polyethylene balls to conserve water came from retired biologist from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), Dr. Brian White.

The LADWP has used this method since 2008 to protect open-air reservoirs from UV rays and contaminants. These black balls will also protect the water from bromate exposure, which tends to be harmful if ingested in large amounts.

Growth of algae will also be reduced, a natural occurrence requiring water treatments to make it potable. Dust, dirt, rain and chemical contamination can also be prevented with this method, making it the most cost-effective proposal to the challenge.

Accordingly, about 300 million gallons of water will be prevented from evaporating each year using the method; enough for 8,100 people, according to Councilman Mitch Englander. Each plastic ball costs 36 cents, while the whole project costs $250 million less than other the same alternatives.

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