Discovering the Shade Balls in LA's Reservoir
I never imagined that a simple visit to a water reservoir in Los Angeles would unravel a fascinating mystery about environmental engineering and public health, where everyday solutions hide deeper stakes in preventing unseen dangers.
TL;DR
I arrived at LA's massive reservoir, intrigued by 96 million shade balls covering the water, and questioned their real purpose beyond what I'd heard.
Discovered these black balls block sunlight to stop harmful bromate from forming, turning initial curiosity into insight on water safety challenges.
Learned how bromide reacts with chlorine under the sun to create carcinogens, revealing the high stakes of untreated exposure in drinking water.
Explored the difficulties of implementation, like filling balls with water to prevent them from blowing away, blending innovation with practical surprises.
Reflected on the shift from bird deterrents to this large-scale solution, sparking thoughts on creative environmental fixes for modern problems.
As I stood at the edge of Los Angeles's vast reservoir, I was struck by the sight of 96 million black shade balls floating on the surface, a rare spectacle that made me question everything I'd heard about them.
Contrary to popular belief, their main goal isn't to reduce evaporation; instead, they block sunlight to prevent a chemical reaction that could harm public health.
These balls are partially filled with water to keep them from blowing away in high winds, which could scatter them across highways and create chaos.
Driving on them was incredibly tough, as they wobbled and formed crystal-like structures, making me appreciate the engineering behind keeping them in place.
The story began with bromide, a naturally occurring substance in salty water sources like California's aqueducts, which is generally harmless but hard to remove.
When we treat water with ozone or chlorine, bromide can turn into bromate, a known carcinogen, especially under bright sunlight in open reservoirs.
In the early 2000s, regulations tightened around bromate levels, forcing us to monitor it closely in treatment plants, but we didn't expect issues in storage.
That's when a beverage company detected high bromate in their supply, tracing it back to the open reservoir where sunlight accelerated the reaction.
We considered various options, like floating fabrics or covers, but they were time-consuming and expensive to install.
Eventually, we turned to high-density polyethylene pipes, cutting them into balls originally designed to deter birds from mine waste ponds and airport water bodies.
These shade balls, once repurposed, created a floating barrier that effectively shielded the water from the sun's rays.
Standing there, it felt like being in the world's largest ball pit, with the balls stretching 40 feet deep and hiding the water completely from view.
I couldn't help but wonder if this was all a elaborate setup, but the reality hit home when I turned on my tap at home, knowing much of the water came from this very source.
This accidental scientific discovery highlighted how everyday environmental factors can turn safe practices into potential hazards, pushing us toward innovative solutions.
In the end, this experience underscored the delicate balance of water treatment, where simple interventions like shade balls can safeguard communities from invisible threats.
Key Takeaways
The shade balls primarily prevent bromate formation by blocking sunlight, not reducing evaporation, addressing a critical public health risk.
Bromide in water reacts with chlorine under sun exposure to create carcinogens, leading to the need for creative reservoir coverings.
Implementing these balls involved overcoming practical challenges, like wind resistance, through design innovations originally from bird deterrence.
