Shade Balls
Industrial-grade floating cover spheres for reservoirs, ponds, lagoons, and frac ponds.
AWTT manufactures the engineered industrial equivalent of the LA-DWP shade balls — hollow UV-stabilized HDPE spheres delivering 91% surface coverage for evaporation control, algae suppression, and bird deterrence.
What Are Shade Balls?
Shade balls are hollow plastic spheres that float on the surface of open water — reservoirs, ponds, lagoons, and frac ponds — to block sunlight, suppress algae growth, cut evaporation, and deter birds. The term entered mainstream news after the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) deployed 96 million 4-inch HDPE balls across the Ivanhoe and Elysian drinking-water reservoirs in 2015, drawing national attention to a practice already used quietly in industrial water management for decades.
Modern industrial shade balls are manufactured from UV-stabilized high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with hollow construction and a wall thickness of 1/16" to 1/8". They self-pack into a single layer on the water surface — covering roughly 91% of the area — and stay in place under any breeze. They don't require anchoring, drainage, or basin modification, and they install in 2-3 days on a 2-acre reservoir.
AWTT manufactures the engineered industrial-spec equivalent under the Armor Ball® product line — proven across municipal drinking-water reservoirs, mining heap-leach ponds, oilfield frac ponds, dairy lagoons, and airport stormwater retention basins.
Industrial Shade Balls vs Pool Cover Balls
AWTT manufactures industrial-spec shade balls only. We do not sell residential pool products.
For industrial reservoirs, ponds, and lagoons
Minimum scale ~1,000 sq ft. Wind exposure, freeze/thaw cycling, chemical compatibility, and 25+ year lifespan matter. Specifications, certifications, and engineering review apply.
→ AWTT Armor Ball® is the right product. Request a quote.
For backyard pools, hot tubs, fountains
Residential-scale (typically <1,000 sq ft) requires consumer-rated solar pool covers or pool cover balls — sized, certified, and warranted for that use case.
→ AWTT industrial shade balls are overspecified and overpriced for residential use. Look for consumer "solar pool cover" or "pool cover balls" from pool-supply retailers.
AWTT Shade Ball Products
Two engineered industrial shade ball variants — standard and wind-resistant — both available in NSF/ANSI 61 certified spec for potable water service.
Armor Ball®
Hollow UV-stabilized HDPE spheres giving 91% surface coverage at the lowest cost per square foot. The cost-effective entry point for industrial pond protection where wind exposure is low to moderate.
- • 91% Coverage
- • 10.9 lb/ft² Buoyancy
- • 25+ Year Lifespan
View product →
Wind-ResistantArmor Ball® AQUA
Water-ballasted Armor Ball variant rated to 75 MPH wind. Same 91% coverage, with active wind resistance via on-site water fill — no mechanical anchoring, no pond modification.
- • 91% Coverage
- • 5 lb/ft² Buoyancy
- • 75 MPH Wind
View product →
How Shade Balls Work
Four mechanisms, one passive system. No power, no maintenance, no moving parts.
Block UV
Solid sphere wall stops sunlight from reaching the water surface — eliminating photosynthesis that drives algal growth and harmful cyanobacteria blooms.
Suppress Algae
With no sunlight at the surface, algae populations collapse within weeks. Chemical treatment costs drop 70-90% on reservoirs where shade balls deploy.
Cut Evaporation
Sealed surface coverage stops bulk evaporative loss. For a 5-acre reservoir in arid climates, that retains 20-50 million gallons per year.
Deter Birds
Spheres eliminate open-water landing surface — preventing bird strikes near airport stormwater and waterfowl contamination at potable reservoirs.
Where Shade Balls Are Used
AWTT shade balls deploy across industries where open-water exposure costs water, drives algae, or attracts wildlife.
Reservoirs
Drinking water, algae prevention, evaporation
Frac Ponds
Oilfield evaporation, wind-resistant deployment
Mining
Heap-leach evaporation, dust suppression
Wastewater
Lagoon odor control, surface containment
Dairies
Lagoon coverage, ammonia containment
Airports
Bird-strike elimination, stormwater retention
Shade Balls vs Other Floating Cover Options
Shade balls are the lowest-cost floating cover family. They're not always the best fit — here's how they compare.
| Criterion | Shade Balls (Armor Ball®) | Hexagonal Tiles (Hexprotect®) | Solid Geomembrane |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface coverage | ~91% | 99% | 99%+ |
| Cost per sq ft | Lowest | Medium | Highest |
| Wind rating (typical) | Standard: low / AQUA: 75 MPH | 130+ MPH | N/A — anchored |
| Installation | Hand-launched, no anchoring | Tile-by-tile interlocking | Heavy crew, basin drainage |
| Access for inspection | Push aside, no lift | Lift tiles in section | None — permanent |
| Best for | Low-wind sites, lowest budget, partial coverage acceptable | Drinking water, biogas, high-wind, max coverage | Permanent containment, no access required |
Not sure which is right? Compare the full AWTT range.
Floating Covers Overview →Shade Balls FAQ
What are shade balls? +
Shade balls are hollow plastic spheres that float on the surface of open water — reservoirs, ponds, lagoons, and frac ponds — to block sunlight, suppress algae growth, cut evaporation, and deter birds. The term entered the mainstream after the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power deployed 96 million balls across its drinking water reservoirs in 2015. Modern industrial shade balls are manufactured from UV-stabilized high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and engineered for 25+ years of continuous service.
Where can I buy industrial shade balls for sale? +
AWTT sells engineered industrial shade balls (Armor Ball® and Armor Ball® AQUA) for reservoirs, ponds, lagoons, and frac ponds. Pricing depends on surface area, wind exposure, and material specification. Request a sized quote at /contact/ — AWTT engineering returns dimensions, lead time, and pricing within 1-2 business days. Note: AWTT manufactures industrial-spec product only and does not sell residential pool shade balls.
Are shade balls suitable for swimming pools or hot tubs? +
No — AWTT manufactures industrial-spec shade balls only. AWTT Armor Ball® is engineered for industrial ponds and reservoirs (minimum 1,000 sq ft) and is overspecified and overpriced for residential pool use. For backyard pools and hot tubs, look for consumer "solar pool covers" or "pool cover balls" from pool-supply retailers — those products are sized, certified, and warranted for residential use. AWTT industrial shade balls would not be a cost-effective fit at residential scale.
What are shade balls made of? +
AWTT industrial shade balls are manufactured from UV-stabilized virgin high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Each ball is hollow with a 1/16" to 1/8" wall thickness, NSF/ANSI 61 certified where required for potable water contact, and free of post-consumer recycled content. HDPE resists chemical attack, freeze/thaw cycling (–70°F to +150°F), and biological fouling — the standard for 25+ year operational lifespan in industrial water service.
Are AWTT shade balls the same as the LA-DWP shade balls? +
They are the same product family — hollow HDPE spheres floating on a reservoir surface — but AWTT manufactures the engineered industrial-spec equivalent with the Armor Ball® product line. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power deployment used 4-inch HDPE balls. AWTT Armor Ball® uses a comparable diameter for evaporation control, plus a water-ballasted Armor Ball® AQUA variant rated to 75 MPH wind for exposed sites where the original LA-DWP ball would migrate.
How long do shade balls last? +
AWTT industrial shade balls have a documented 25+ year operational lifespan backed by a 10-year manufacturer warranty. UV-stabilized HDPE resists solar degradation at the surface where exposure is highest. Some AWTT installations have exceeded 30 years of continuous service in arid-climate reservoirs without ball replacement.
How are shade balls installed? +
AWTT shade balls are deployed by hand onto the existing water surface — no drainage, no civil work, no heavy equipment. Balls are launched from the bank or from a small boat, distribute themselves across the surface, and self-pack tightly under any breeze. A typical 2-acre reservoir installs in 2-3 days with a 4-person crew. Wind-resistant Armor Ball® AQUA variants are filled with water on-site to engage the ballast.
Ready to spec shade balls for your site?
Send your reservoir/pond dimensions, location, and wind exposure. AWTT engineering returns a sized recommendation, lead time, and quote within 1-2 business days.