JAYFORCE

How about that? Engineering (e.g. applied science) solves another real life problem. The world is better when more and more smart people are around to think about and fix problems. Los Angeles (California, USA) has been in the grips of a deadly drought. And in the rest of The States, we have looked on helplessly. But I think they are onto something here.

For months, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has been releasing the black plastic balls to float on the surface of the 175-acre Los Angeles Reservoir in a massive drought relief project. The final 20,000 went in on Monday, with some assistance from LA Mayor Eric Garcetti.

“Shade balls are a great example of how engineering meets common sense,” LADWP general manager Marcie Edwards said in Garcetti’s press release. “… As we make updates, we are mindful to be wise and practical with our investments. Shade balls are an affordable and effective way to comply with regulations, and help us continue to deliver the best drinking water to our customers.”

– Huffington Post

This is a good case of ‘black-balling’… deters water loss from evaporation, development of algae, wildlife contamination… PLUS, I cannot stop watching the cool clip of a big batch of shade balls being dumped into the LA Reservoir.

MORE: SHADE BALLS TO PROTECT LA’S WATER (HUFFINGTON POST)

– @ojones1