A Unique Solution to Reservoir Coverage: The Shade Ball Story

When the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates that you cover your reservoirs, it can certainly cause a moment of pause, especially when you’re dealing with a 175-acre drinking water reservoir facility. The question that naturally arises is, “What now?”

Marcie Edwards found herself facing this very challenge. However, she was not deterred. Instead, she helped to implement a solution that had been conceived over a decade prior, a solution as innovative as it was effective.

The idea was the brainchild of an engineer who recognized that covering large bodies of water would require new technology. His solution? A black food-grade plastic ball, filled with water to prevent it from being carried away by the wind. These ‘shade balls’ were designed to float on the surface of the reservoir, providing an effective and efficient cover.

The scale of the project was immense. It required no less than 96 million of these shade balls to cover the reservoir adequately. Yet, under Marcie’s guidance, this ambitious project was successfully carried out, demonstrating once again her ability to navigate complex challenges and deliver practical solutions.