FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 6, 2008

COUNCILMEMBER TOM LA BONGE AND LADWP GENERAL MANAGER DAVID NAHAI TO BEGIN INSTALLING FLOATING COVER ON IVANHOE RESERVOIR

"SHADE BALLS" A UNIQUE METHOD OF ENSURING WATER QUALITY

WHAT:     The release of approximately 400,000 black plastic Shade Balls onto the surface of Ivanhoe Reservoir.  These Shade Balls are the first installation of approximately 3 million such balls that will form a floating cover on the body of water by the end of this year. 

WHO:       Hon. Tom LaBonge, Los Angeles City Councilmember, District 4
                David Nahai, LADWP CEO & General Manager

WHEN:     June 9, 2008, 10:00 a.m.

WHERE:   Ivanhoe Reservoir
                2700 Tesla Avenue
                Los Angeles, CA  90039
    
The entry gate to the Reservoir is located at the intersection of Tesla and Armstrong avenues.  Media vehicles may enter the gate and park inside the facility, near the dam that separates the Silver Lake and Ivanhoe reservoirs. 

Mapquest- http://www.mapquest.com/maps/2700+tesla+ave+los+angeles++ca+90039/  

VISUALS:    
Members of the press are invited to capture the images of LADWP crews emptying bales of balls into the reservoir.

BACKGROUND:
LADWP seeks to minimize the risk of bromate-forming chemical reactions, safeguard the quality of the potable water we store, and be in compliance with federal regulations that require us to cover the open-air Ivanhoe Reservoir, all with a unique and simple application: 4-inch, hollow, black plastic balls known as Shade Balls.  Used as a floating cover, the Shade Balls will block much of the daily sunlight from reaching the water's surface, thereby keeping it cool, helping to prevent a chemical reaction with the treated water.  Shade Balls require no construction, no parts, no labor and no maintenance, aside from occasional rotating. 
LADWP is the first utility company to use Shade Balls to mitigate a water quality problem in drinking water.

Together with Silver Lake Reservoir, Ivanhoe Reservoir serves drinking water to approximately 600,000 LADWP consumers in Downtown, Central and South Los Angeles. 

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CONTACT:
Brooks Baker, LADWP Public Affairs
(213) 367-8722
Brooks.Baker@ladwp.com

Joseph Ramallo
LADWP Public Affairs
voice: (213) 367-1361