A shimmering reservoir in the heart of Los Angeles, its surface completely swallowed by a sea of 96 million black plastic balls. It sounds like the setup for a quirky sci-fi movie or a viral prank gone wild, but it’s actually one of the smartest environmental moves the city’s ever made. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) unleashed these floating spheres into the Ivanhoe Reservoir to protect the city’s drinking water, and the story behind it is equal parts nerdy science and eco-friendly brilliance. Thanks to a viral MSN video that’s been making the rounds, we’re diving into why these “shade balls” are stealing the spotlight—and saving water.
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The Sun vs. LA’s Water: A Heated Battle
Los Angeles is no stranger to sunshine, but all that golden glow can spell trouble for open-air reservoirs like Ivanhoe in Silver Lake. When sunlight hits the water, it triggers a chemical reaction between naturally occurring bromide and UV rays, forming bromate—a potential carcinogen that’s tightly regulated by the EPA. Left unchecked, this could make the water unsafe for the millions of Angelenos who rely on it. Add to that the relentless evaporation in California’s drought-prone climate, and you’ve got a recipe for a water crisis.
Traditional fixes, like giant tarps or chemical additives, are pricey, clunky, and often impractical for sprawling urban reservoirs. Building a roof over a 30-acre body of water? That’s a $300 million headache. So, LA got creative, turning to a solution that’s as visually bizarre as it is effective: millions of black, golf-ball-sized spheres made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
Enter the Shade Balls: Small Spheres, Big Impact
If you haven’t seen the MSN video yet, it’s worth a watch (check it out here). Drone shots sweep over Ivanhoe Reservoir, revealing a surreal, inky blanket of balls bobbing in sync with the water. The footage captures trucks unloading these spheres in a hypnotic cascade, each one joining its neighbors to form a floating barrier that blocks 99% of sunlight. It’s oddly satisfying, like watching a cosmic game of Tetris.
Why black? The dark hue absorbs UV rays, preventing them from penetrating the water and cooking up bromate. Why balls? Their spherical shape lets them self-assemble into a tight, gap-free cover, no engineering degree required. At just 36 cents each, the $30 million project (completed in 2020 after starting in 2017) was a bargain compared to traditional covers. Plus, these balls are recyclable, reusable, and designed to avoid harming wildlife—no holes for birds to get stuck in, and no toxic chemicals leaching into the ecosystem.
More Than Just Sunblock: The Triple Win
The shade balls aren’t just a one-trick pony. Beyond keeping bromate at bay, they tackle two other big issues:
- Water Conservation: In a state where droughts are as common as traffic jams, the balls cut evaporation by up to 85%, saving billions of gallons of water annually across LA’s reservoirs. That’s enough to keep taps flowing through even the driest summers.
- Energy Savings: By keeping the water cooler, the balls reduce the need for energy-hungry chillers at treatment plants, slashing electricity costs and carbon emissions.
- Wildlife Protection: Early skeptics worried the balls might choke the ecosystem, but they’re designed to let oxygen pass through while keeping birds and critters safe. The reservoir’s still a healthy habitat—just with a funky new look.
The MSN video nails this balance of science and spectacle, blending expert interviews with mesmerizing visuals. One LADWP official beams as she explains, “It’s not just practical—it’s sustainable.” Meanwhile, social media clips show locals gawking at the “black blob” and joking about LA’s “alien bubble bath.” It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it works.
A Trend That’s Making Waves
LA isn’t alone in this ball game. Similar shade ball projects have popped up in places like Australia and San Francisco, proving this low-tech solution has global potential. As climate change cranks up the heat and dries out water supplies, cities everywhere are looking for affordable, eco-conscious ways to protect their resources. Ivanhoe’s balls, expected to last a decade with occasional replacements, are a shining (or rather, non-shining) example of thinking outside the box.
So, next time you’re in LA, sipping crisp tap water, give a nod to those 96 million unsung heroes floating quietly in the hills. They’re not just quirky—they’re a lifeline for a thirsty city. Got thoughts on this wild water-saving hack? Drop a comment below, and let’s talk about what other crazy-cool ideas could save the planet, one ball at a time.
Want to see it for yourself? Watch the full MSN video here and get ready to be amazed.