IVANHOE - A RESERVOIR UNDERCOVER // Gerd Ludwig
Summary: The two open-air reservoirs in the Silver Lake community of Los Angeles, California comprise two concrete-lined basins. Divided by a spillway, the upper section is named the Ivanhoe Reservoir, while the lower section is known as Silver Lake Reservoir. They currently provide water to 600,000 customers in communities in South Los Angeles and are operated by the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP).
In October 2007, the Ivanhoe Reservoir was about to be decommissioned after unusually high levels of bromate were discovered. This harmful carcinogen occurs when bromide, naturally present in groundwater, and chlorine, used to kill bacteria, react in strong sunlight.
The discovery of the high bromate levels prompted officials to look for affordable ways of shading the Ivanhoe Reservoir. One of the DWP's biologists, Brian White, suggested so-called “bird-balls”, commonly used by airports to prevent birds from congregating in wet areas alongside runways.
An initial drop of 400.000 balls was made on July 7, 2008 and today the surface of the Ivanhoe Reservoir is completely covered with more than 3 million black balls. The balls, which cost 40 cents each, are made of polyethylene, the coating contains carbon. Black is the only color strong enough to deflect ultraviolet rays.
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