Balls (heh heh) added to LA Reservoir to combat drought

[pixy0stix]

youtu.be/lqhF2JpZBVs

LOS ANGELES — California officials are taking unusual action to fight the state’s drought.

On Tuesday, officials released thousands of “shade balls” to protect the water from dust, chemicals, wildlife and — most importantly — evaporation.

“LA just completed a project at the LA Reservoir to save 300 million gallons of water by deploying shade balls on its surface, saving our city over $250 million dollars while keeping our water clean & safe,”Mayor Eric Garcetti posted on Facebook.

The 95,980,000 balls cost 36 cents each. The balls were the final step in a $34 million water quality protection project.

Los Angeles is the first city in the U.S. to use shade balls in its water system.

City officials say shade balls last about 10 years. The LADWP says they will be removed, recycled and replaced.

[FloFTW]

I saw this!!! What a great idea. And you know when it first came up someone was like "...why don't we fill the water with balls?" And everyone laughed and then she had to be like "No, I'm serious. Like millions of black balls."

[twotrue]

Maybe when that fake ocean thing in DC is over they can send the balls to LA ;-)

[taratru]

Nerdy environmental DH is SO stoked about this. It's cute.

[msmerymac]

I feel like they put balls in the Silverlake reservoir for some reason at some point, so someone has ball handling experience.

Ah-ha. They did this before to prevent the formation of bromate. articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/10/local/me-balls10

[pixy0stix]

Aug 12, 2015 21:16:29 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

 so someone has ball handling experience.

heh heh heh

[josieposy]

I'm actually kinda surprised a worker didn't fall out of the truck with them. You know someone was tempted to dive in and play when they filled the truck.

[pixy0stix]

Aug 12, 2015 21:49:59 GMT -5 toledo said:

My question: are they plastic? Are they leeching chemicals into the water while they bake in the sun?

Yes and probably. Although, tbf, the water probably has the chemicals in it already.

[josieposy]

One article I read said they won't leach, but they will fall apart. I wonder how they are going to remove all those little pieces?

[MrsAxilla]

Aug 12, 2015 21:57:12 GMT -5 josieposy said:

One article I read said they won't leach, but they will fall apart. I wonder how they are going to remove all those little pieces?

Are they biodigradable maybe?

[pixy0stix]

Aug 12, 2015 22:43:22 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Aug 12, 2015 21:57:12 GMT -5 josieposy said:

One article I read said they won't leach, but they will fall apart. I wonder how they are going to remove all those little pieces?

Are they biodigradable maybe?

Not if they have to pull them out to recycle.

[heyjude]

Aug 12, 2015 21:49:59 GMT -5 toledo said:

My question: are they plastic? Are they leeching chemicals into the water while they bake in the sun?

This was mine and my husband's first thought when we heard about this on NPR tonight. The plastic balls are going to bake in the sun. The heat will cause the BPA, or whatever BPA alternative, to leech into the water system. It seems..... Problematic.

Didn't anyone at LA Water and Power learn about not drinking water out of plastic bottles that have been sitting in a hot car?

[shauni27]

Aug 12, 2015 22:58:32 GMT -5 heyjude said:

Aug 12, 2015 21:49:59 GMT -5 toledo said:

My question: are they plastic? Are they leeching chemicals into the water while they bake in the sun?

This was mine and my husband's first thought when we heard about this on NPR tonight. The plastic balls are going to bake in the sun. The heat will cause the BPA, or whatever BPA alternative, to leech into the water system. It seems..... Problematic.

Didn't anyone at LA Water and Power learn about not drinking water out of plastic bottles that have been sitting in a hot car?

This was my very first thought as well last night when I heard the story.  But I still think it is a really neat idea and I look forward to seeing how well this works (or not), and my inner child wanted to slide in with all of those balls (shut up!) right into the water.  WHEEEEE.