California's "Black Balls"

[Mr. Clean]

http://www.foxnews.com/science/2015/.../?intcmp=hpbt3

Odd thread title for sure and no I am not talking about glamy. California spent $34M.5 dollars to cover a reservoir with black plastic balls to help prevent evaporation.

I would have thought white or chrome would have been better for prevention of evaporation but hey surely the politicians are smarter than us plebs. They figure they save $250M spending $34.5M, that is called risk mitigation in my line of work, good job California!!

Good to see California spending glamys hard earned taxes on such a worthy cause

[tripledog]

I saw that on TV. I also would have thought a lighter color would be better for reflecting light, but it still takes balls to do something like that.

[plastikosmd]

I just have the feeling that there will be some unintended consequence that was not considered.

[86T3]

This has been in the back of my mind since I read about it a week ago. I like to read comments on articles (mostly because they are hilarious) and like Mr clean asked, why not something that won't absorb heat. I'm going to hope they did small scale tests to find what color works the best, but I'm skeptical. Some comments brought up the risk or bacterial and fungal growth from all the small shaded areas. One thing is for sure, they need to do something instead of just hoping (is it legal to pray in california?) for rain. I think desalination plants would be a better option. At least these will be able to be cleaned up if they don't work

[RapidRick]

The Oceanside Desal plant should be close to coming on line. Problem is it takes a crisis to get one built but then site acquisition, environmental challenges, planning, construction, etc. take probably a decade or more. Correct me if I'm wrong, Harry Jr. might comment, he's around there.

[HairyJR]

California needs another year or two of drought before another desalination plant would even be considered as most communities here have the attitude “not in my backyard”. SDG&E built their Encinitas desal plant on property they already owned and had excess to ocean sea water through existing intake piping tunnel from a retired prior electrical generation steam plant. The states Coastal Commission will probably never approve construction, EPA and other necessary permits. Yes I feel the sting, USE LESS – PAY MORE.

"HJ"

[coolpool]

I agree a lighter color would work better. Joe nailed when he mentioned bacteria and fungus; how can it not grow in a warm water scenario. And with desal, what can be done with all the by product of salt? Is there a market for it? Seems like the only way to go.

[Jwheeler]

I can't see Black working !!!!!!!!!

[knappyfeet]

You would have to be able to walk across all of our major holding reservoirs with water only going up to your knees here before any major movement on multiple desalination facilities would be considered. It's a bad region to have 30 million people (and who knows how many illegal)....and no water and extreme environmentalists running water issues.

[El Camexican]

And with desal, what can be done with all the by product of salt?

The TV and Internet keep saying that desalination due to melting ice caps is and issue, so I would think it could be dumped right back into the drink. California is a nice place to visit, but I couldn't be paid to live there. It seems to be the epicenter of stupid more often than not. Maybe they should give it back to the Mexicans?

[BOB MARLIN]

The black balls in that reservoir is not a new thing. They have been doing it for a few years now. The difference is that this year they tried to make a political statement out of it. The democratic officials that are destroying this state used it a photo op and publicity stunt to claim they are doing something about the drought and it back fired.

[knappyfeet]

I want to sue all my butt-lick neighbors for my depression of looking at they`re dead landscaping

So many people are installing drought tolerant landscapes and it makes me throw up in my mouth everytime I see one.

[barnett468]

.

"Krekula added. "Keeping the balls clean when covered in bacteria and mold slime will be a monumental task."


EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

WANTED: Someone to clean the bacteria and moldy slime off our hot black wet balls. Opportunity for advancement. Benefits included.

For a good time please call 1-977-WASH MY BALLS



Hey...I think I'll place an add too!.


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[barnett468]

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POST CORRECTION BECAUSE I HAVE NO EDIT BUTTON


"For a good time please call 1-977-WASH MY BALLS"

It should read:

"For a good time please call 1-977-WASH OUR BALLS"


My apologies for the error.
.

[Dirtcrasher]

From my past years of hooch growing, I always used white plastic on top with black on the bottom. White reflects, black absorbs, some genius made that call!!

I had read it in Ed Rosenthals (SP?) book and applied it.