Water shade balls are a innovative method to protect surface-water reservoirs against Evaporation and harms coming from Solar radiation effetcs.
At first time a big scale project was started 2015 in California where 96 millons balls were deployed in the L.A. water Reservoir.
The used balls are 4 inch in diameter and black-coloured. They consist of environment-friendly polyethylene, hollow inside and filled with water, so heavy enough not to be blown away by strong wind, but buoyant. They are hermetically sealed with potable water inside. They have coatings to block UV-light, thus increased durability. Matrials are consistent with potable water rules.
The orbs are produced by a start-up enterprise, one item sold for 36 $cent, whole costs coming to 34,5 Mio. Dollar. Lifetime is expected to reach 25 years.
protecting effects edit
Balls are deployed in 2015 to the surface-open L.A. Reservoir, covering the surficial area, thus shielding against solar radiation. The L.A. Reservoir, the largest in-basin facility of its kind owned and managed by the LADWP, with a total surface of 175 acres.
Surface covering is expected to reduce Evaporation, saving 300 million gallons per year. California is fighting drought and water shortage for 4 years.
Reducing algae growth is another valuable effect.
An important effect at the california project is to prevent a dangerous chemical reaction: While the water gets chlorinated and on the other hand has natural Bromide. Both chemicals together may react to Bromate, which is a cancer suspect.