How are shade balls helpful? The balls have been successful in both reducing the creation of toxic bromate and reducing algae growth in public reservoirs. The balls were similarly effective as a means for keeping birds away from bodies of water.

So, can you swim in shade balls? To be clear, the suppliers definitely do NOT recommend that you swim in these balls. That’s because unlike regular balls, they’re half filled with water so they’re extra heavy and extra dangerous.

According to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), shade balls could keep contaminants out of the water and reduce the evaporation of the reservoir by 85 to 90 percent during a drought.

Since shade balls have stayed on the Los Angeles Reservoir since 2015, they are likely now starting to save more water than they cost to produce. The LA Department of Water and Power said they plan to keep shade balls as a permanent solution to water quality issues on the Los Angeles, replacing them every 10 years.

Shade balls are small plastic spheres floated on top of a reservoir for environmental reasons, including to slow evaporation and prevent sunlight from causing reactions among chemical compounds present in the water.

This is alongside other potentially negative effects on the water, such as affecting life in the reservoir or promoting bacterial growth. In addition, the balls’ production could have negative effects on the environment associated with water pollution or carbon emissions.

On the contrary, each shade ball was placed at a cost of 36 cents, making the total cost of the Los Angeles Aqueduct project approximately $34.5 million. The shade balls will also prevent the annual loss to evaporation of about 300 million gallons of water.

Commonly called Shade Balls, the dark UV infused HDPE, High-Density Polyethylene spheres promote high water quality and reduce evaporation. The additional water inside the shade balls keeps them in the water in high winds, and provides an ambient temperature barrio like insulation, to help keep the water cooler and reduce evaporation.

In short, the balls needed to be used for about three years before they could “break even” in terms of water used versus water saved. And while the balls are cheaper than a roof, they’re not cheap. Those 96 million balls cost about $34 million.

Polyethylene Shade Balls. The balls are unstable and discourage birds from landing on the water. Commonly called Shade Balls, the dark UV infused HDPE, High-Density Polyethylene spheres promote high water quality and reduce evaporation. The additional water inside the shade balls keeps them in the water in high winds,…

Shade balls are small plastic spheres floated on top of a reservoir for environmental protection and to slow evaporation. Also known as bird balls, they were developed initially to prevent birds from landing on toxic tailing ponds produced by mining operations.