Does Your Water Supply Have the Balls?

I've blogged this one before, but here's a new pic, showing the latest in an unusual strategy by L.A's Dept of Water and Power to counteract the creation of a carcinogen in the actual reservoir water. The unwanted chemical, bromate, forms when sunlight, chlorine and the naturally occurring mineral bromide intermingle. The city considered solutions, like a tarp or metal cover, but they were all too costly, labor-intensive or ugly. Then the ball idea, courtesy of LADWP biologist Brian White, floated to the top. The layer of three million black polyethylene balls prevents sunlight from completing the deadly cocktail.

And.. I'm wondering if my local water supplier has even looked at the possibility of it happening locally!