$34.5 Million in "Shade Balls" project to prevent water evaporation and algae growth. Do you think there is a better way?

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 16:13:40 -0400

The EPA mandates that all reservoirs be covered, but tarps and metal coverings can be expensive and take too long to install, however shade balls are becoming the preferred method and are expected to save more than 300 million gallons of water annually at this particular LA Reservoir.

Now... Estimates vary, but it's "guesstimated" that one person uses approx 80-100 gallons of water per day, times 365 days would be approx 29,200 to 36,500 annually... With this usage for 10,000 people annually, it would be 292,000,000 to 365,000,000 gallons. Los Angeles has approx 10 million people, and I really suck at math (so someone please check my numbers), but would this be considered a significant saving? Especially since they are spending $34.5 million to do this... What other options (besides desalination and floating icebergs) do you think they should/could consider?

Oh... And no jokes about the "Shade Balls" please!!!

LA Rolls Out Water-Saving 'Shade Balls'

In an effort to meet EPA regulations, conserve water and prevent algae growth in the Los Angeles Reservoir, officials are using 96 million plastic balls to cover the water's surface.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 12 at 2015 4:21 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 16:21:12 -0400

Not yet. However the bad policies that created the shortage means $34M was spent on plastic vs. people. Getting replaced every 10 years means it's a recurring cost. Another band aid.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Aug 12 at 2015 4:52 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 16:52:30 -0400

Interestingly simple and elegant. Of course they could also order Nestle to stop pumping water for bottling and start fining the individuals and corporations openly flouting the current restrictions, but we all know that's not going to happen.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 12 at 2015 4:53 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 16:53:48 -0400

Here's a government program bound to fail

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2015 4:54 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 16:54:23 -0400

Cool concept....i want some for my pool....lol

Response by MSgt Robert Pellam made Aug 12 at 2015 5:05 PM

MSgt Robert Pellam — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 17:05:16 -0400

Kinda wondering about this myself. The science seems legit. Will it help California with their problems? I doubt it. I believe it was SGT Jeremiah B. who mentioned the government there not actually going after any corporations or people who defy the ban in place. I wonder who supplied the Shade balls? 34 million would be a nice sum of money for a start up company in CA who was saving the environment by making plastic balls. I think I will write this one off to stop gap fix for a long term crisis that is making someone some money off the CA Government. As for a better alternative, invest in Sea water purification, actually enforce your laws against corporations, and why not try reducing waste in city run buildings? That would be my best guess.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Aug 12 at 2015 6:12 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 18:12:10 -0400

SO, interesting concept....now for devil's advocate: what impact will this have on the environment? Here is what I am getting at.... Sun shines, evaporates water from ground into air. Moisture consolidates someplace and rain falls.... they they saving THEIR water and going to cause the next great dust bowl elsewhere because they disrupted the circle of the environment?? Like I said...not for it...not against it....just posing another angle to be looked at. You get NOTHING for free. Every action and an opposite reaction....

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 12:12 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 00:12:56 -0400

hope the plastic is BPA free...

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 14 at 2015 2:55 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 02:55:56 -0400

Brilliant Idea!