A solution for the drought problem in California?

The sea of 96MILLION plastic balls that LA hopes will save it from drought: Reservoir is covered in an ocean of black spheres to stop 300million gallons of water evaporating

Black plastic balls were this week released into the 175-acre Los Angeles Reservoir in Sylmar, California

They are designed to cover the water, prevent evaporation and protect it from dust, rain, chemicals and wildlife

The polyethylene balls, around the size of an apple, cost 36 cents each and are black to help deflect the UV rays.

With no apparent relief to California's record-breaking drought, Los Angeles has turned to more unusual methods to protect the city's water.

Officials recently released 96 million floating 'shade balls' into the 75-acre Los Angeles Reservoir in Sylmar, California.

The black plastic balls are designed to help protect the water against dust, rain, chemicals and wildlife, as well as prevent 300 million gallons of water from evaporating each year. 

The balls work by floating on the surface and blocking the sun's rays.

As well as protecting against evaporation, they also prevent the chemical reaction that creates the carcinogenic compound bromate.

For most people, exposure to bromate - created from naturally-occurring bromide in water -is unlikely to be cause problems.

But some people who ingest large amounts of bromate have suffered nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

The balls also form a protective barrier across the surface that helps keep birds, animals and other contaminants out.

Dr Brian White, a now-retired Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP biologist), was the first person to think of using shade balls for water quality.

HOW DO THE SHADE BALLS WORK? 

• The plastic black balls, around the size of an apple, cost 36 cents each.
• They floating on the surface and block the sun's rays to prevent water from evaporating.
• By doing this, they prevent the chemical reaction that creates the carcinogenic compound bromate.
• The balls also form a protective barrier across the surface that helps keep birds, animals and other contaminants out away. 

From Mailonline