Plastic pellets prevent water evaporation in Los Angeles reservoir
Small spheres also prevent the growth of microorganisms
Image: LAMayor.org
Black plastic balls floating in shells. If you saw this scene, you would probably imagine it was more a reflection of pollution, right? But in Los Angeles, USA, they are used to keep water clean, preventing evaporation during periods of drought.
Los Angeles residents are already used to the plastic balls floating in the area's water reservoirs. But the rest of the world may be wondering why the city is turning a reservoir into a giant gothic ball pool. The answer? To keep water clean, preventing it from evaporating during drought.
Last Aug. 10, City Hall dumped 20,000 "shadow balls" into Los Angeles' main reservoir. This was the last stage of the water protection plan - which involved an investment of US$ 34.5 million. The pellets, which cost just 36 cents each, reduce evaporation and protect the water from animals and dirt. No less than 96 million of these small spheres were dumped into the reservoir that stores up to 12.5 billion liters of water. The city of Los Angeles pioneered this type of technology.
Shadow balls also prevent the growth of algae and prevent the action of chemical reactions that can occur between chlorine and the sun. In an official statement, the city says the balls are an "economical way to reduce evaporation each year by up to 1.14 billion liters, enough to provide drinking water for 8,100 people for an entire year."
Source: Gizmodo Brazil and Department of Water and Power
