When Mayor Eric Garcetti unleashed 20,000 little black "shade balls" into the Los Angeles Reservoir last week, the nation was captivated. It was the first time in recorded memory that the New York ...

SYLMAR, LOS ANGELES -- City officials released 20,000 shade balls into the Los Angeles Reservoir Monday, the final step in a $34.5 million water quality protection project. The Los Angeles Department ...

In 2015, the world watched as a video of 96 million “shade balls” getting dumped into the Los Angeles Reservoir went viral. The purpose of the balls: to improve water quality and save water. But a new ...

About a year and a half ago, Arielle Breuninger read an article about how drought-stricken Los Angeles has been using small black plastic “shade balls” to prevent water evaporation in its reservoirs.

A year after Los Angeles authorities covered the reservoir with 95 million plastic shade balls, the unusual project to protect it from evaporation, algae and birds has been deemed a success.

In an effort to meet EPA regulations, conserve water and prevent algae growth in the Los Angeles Reservoir, officials are using 96 million plastic... Today, "shade balls" got their moment in the sun.

California is experiencing one of its most severe droughts on record, and its local municipalities have an astounding strategy to save water: turn their reservoirs into massive, floating ball pits.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has a water-supply plan for fresh water that would endanger city growth and city residents while risking man-made seismic activity in the San Fernando Valley. Some ...

Preventing reservoir evaporation during droughts with floating balls may not help conserve water overall, due to the water needed to make the balls. During droughts, communities may rely on water ...