Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Why Are 96,000,000 Black Balls on This Reservoir?
YouTube ^ | May 10, 2019 | Veritasium

Posted on 05/11/2019 10:00:14 AM PDT by SunkenCiv

I took a boat through 96 million black plastic balls on the Los Angeles reservoir to find out why they're there. The first time I heard about shade balls the claim was they reduce evaporation. But it turns out this isn't the reason they were introduced.

Huge thanks to LADWP for arranging this special tour for me. Next time let's put the GoPro on the submersible!

The balls are made of high density polyethylene (HDPE) which is less dense than water so they float on the surface of the reservoir even if they break apart. They are 10cm (4 inches) in diameter and contain about 210ml of water. So the main reason they are on the reservoir is to block sunlight from entering the water and triggering a chemical reaction that turns harmless bromide into carcinogenic bromate. This effect occurs with prolonged exposure to bromate so regulators insist that levels be kept below 10 microgram per liter on average over a 12 month period.

Special thanks to Patreon supporters:
Donal Botkin, Michael Krugman, Ron Neal, Stan Presolski, Terrance Shepherd, Penward Rhyme and everyone who provided feedback on an early draft of this video.

Thanks to:
Las Virgenes Reservoir for footage of initial shade ball dump
Euro-Matic for bird into jet-engine footage

Researched and Produced by Casey Rentz

Animations by Maria Raykova

Music from http://epidemicsound.com "Colorful Animation 4" "Seaweed"

And from Kevin MacLeod "Marty Gots a Plan"

This is an educational video about the science of water quality.

(Excerpt) Read more at youtube.com ...


TOPICS: Agriculture; Sports; Travel; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: blackballed; bromate; bromide; bromine; california; chlorine; drought; forgetitjake; hdpe; losangeles; ozone; water; watertreatment
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-77 last
To: steve86
Those UFOs were just scout ships from Nibiru.

61 posted on 05/11/2019 12:31:48 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]

To: cymbeline

It comes from diabolical white men, trying to rid Los Angeles of the bro’ citizens


62 posted on 05/11/2019 12:38:05 PM PDT by smvoice (I WILL NOT WEAR THE RIBBON)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: morphing libertarian

Mom, I’m having a ball at my new job at the water works.


63 posted on 05/11/2019 1:51:43 PM PDT by Colt1851Navy (What was wrong with Nixon?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: Colt1851Navy

I was black balled at work


64 posted on 05/11/2019 1:52:28 PM PDT by morphing libertarian ( Use Comey's Report; Indict Hillary now; build Kate's wall. --- Proud Smelly Walmart Deplorable)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 63 | View Replies]

To: tillacum

Everyone voted against it.


65 posted on 05/11/2019 2:23:20 PM PDT by scrabblehack
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: Hot Tabasco

Was thinking along the same lines, but the mods are twitchy enough already.


66 posted on 05/11/2019 2:23:43 PM PDT by doorgunner69
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Billthedrill
Your friend more likely will benefit from good-quality concrete for the feet ... uhhh ... foundation. Of a residence. Or something. O_O.

Easier to hide bodies though.

Hmm...where's this reservoir again? Asking for a friend.


67 posted on 05/11/2019 2:52:49 PM PDT by Sarcasm Factory
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

The lake is not chlorinated. Antibacterial chemicals are pumped into the water at the pumping station just before entering the pipe line.
Lack of algae creates bacterial slime.
Fish are in every large body of water. They are part of maintaining an ecologically balanced system. If the water cannot support fish it cannot support humans.


68 posted on 05/11/2019 3:06:42 PM PDT by Louis Foxwell (The denial of the authority of God is the central plank of the Progressive movement.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: doorgunner69

LOL!


69 posted on 05/11/2019 3:16:56 PM PDT by Hot Tabasco (uizzzp)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

Based on their logic which is illogical the balls should be white or even better silver. Those black balls absorb the heat of the sun and contribute to the “horror of global warming.” White balls or silver balls would reflect the horror of global warming back into space.

I find this most amusing.


70 posted on 05/11/2019 4:04:03 PM PDT by cpdiii ( canecutter, deckhand, roughneck, geologist, pilot, pharmacist THE CONSTITUTION IS WORTH DYING FOR)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: cpdiii

:^)


71 posted on 05/11/2019 8:27:29 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies]

To: BwanaNdege

I thought it was where Jesse Jackson disposed of his handiwork.

[/reallyoldreference]


72 posted on 05/11/2019 8:36:20 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: dfwgator
It pisses me off that Dwaine Caraway is in jail and Price is not.

Both deserve prison. Especially JWP.

73 posted on 05/11/2019 8:42:13 PM PDT by Windflier (Pitchforks and torches ripen on the vine. Left too long, they become black rifles.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

Plastic casting mold solvent now in the water?

Secondary chemicals released as the plastic breaks down in the sunlight ?

What does it do to the wildlife that would like to use that water ??


74 posted on 05/11/2019 8:56:26 PM PDT by elbook
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

Nice. One more reason Californians are so bat-shit crazy (bromide...prevents iodine absorption, along with chlorine & fluoride).


75 posted on 05/11/2019 10:11:26 PM PDT by logi_cal869 (-cynicus the "concern troll" a/o 10/03/2018 /!i!! &@$%&*(@ -)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: elbook
They fall back on that old saying, "not my problem". Then they keep their lawns that perfect shade of green, even during a drought. ;^)

76 posted on 05/11/2019 10:43:38 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 74 | View Replies]

To: Eddie01

LMAO!!!!


77 posted on 05/14/2019 11:43:37 AM PDT by a little elbow grease (... to err is human, to admit it divine ...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-77 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson