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Each shade ball costs 36 cents.

The balls are considered a cost-effective way to conserve water and ensure drinking water quality. They block much of the sunlight from hitting the water, which protects it from chemical reactions that could cause algae blooms and other environmental exposures.

The LA Reservoir contains more than 3.3 billion gallons of water. Officials estimate the balls will keep 300 million gallons from evaporating each year.

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Austin Walters died from an overdose in 2021 after taking a Xanax pill laced with fentanyl, his father said. A new law named after Austin and aimed at preventing deaths from fentanyl has resulted in its first convictions in Georgia, prosecutors said. (Family photo)

Credit: Family photo