Millions of black plastic balls floating on a drinking water reservoir might sound like an environmental disaster, but for Los Angeles, they became an ingenious solution to several major challenges. The unusual sight attracted worldwide attention and left many wondering why a city would deliberately cover its water supply with 96 million plastic spheres. Far from being a publicity stunt, the floating "shade balls" were introduced by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to conserve water during California's severe drought, protect drinking water quality and meet strict environmental regulations. The project went on to become one of the world's most innovative and cost-effective examples of modern water management. What seemed like an odd visual spectacle ultimately became one of the world's most inventive and cost-effective examples of modern reservoir management.
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