Floating Spheres: A New Front in Water Conservation and Safety

MANCHESTER, N.H. – April 14, 2026 – Amid growing concerns over water scarcity and environmental protection, New Hampshire-based Global Environmental Solutions (GES) has entered the market with EnviroBalls™, a modular floating cover system designed to address a surprisingly diverse range of challenges across municipal, industrial, and aviation sectors.

The launch introduces a technology that, while simple in concept, promises significant impact: hollow plastic spheres that float on water surfaces to form a protective, self-adjusting blanket.

"In developing EnviroBalls™, we focused on delivering a solution our customers can rely on in critical water infrastructure applications," said Rocco Petrilli, Chief Revenue Officer of Global Environmental Solutions, in the announcement. "The name reflects a product that is engineered, practical, and built to perform consistently in the field."

A Simple Solution to Complex Problems

At its core, the EnviroBalls™ system consists of engineered hollow spheres made in the USA from UV-stabilized high-density polyethylene (HDPE). When deployed on a body of water—be it a drinking water reservoir, an industrial process tank, or an airport stormwater pond—they arrange themselves into a closely packed layer that covers a vast majority of the liquid's surface.

This coverage provides a multi-pronged defense against environmental factors. The most significant claim is the reduction of evaporation, which GES states can be up to 80 percent. This figure aligns with independent scientific research and real-world applications of similar "shade ball" technologies. Studies have consistently shown evaporation reduction rates between 60% and 90%, depending on conditions. The famed deployment of 96 million black plastic balls on the Los Angeles Reservoir, for example, was projected to save approximately 300 million gallons of water annually.

Beyond just saving water, the cover limits sunlight penetration. This simple act has profound effects on water quality by inhibiting the photosynthetic processes that fuel algae growth. By cooling the water surface and blocking UV rays, the balls reduce the need for chemical algaecides and can prevent the formation of harmful disinfection byproducts like bromate, a carcinogen that forms when sunlight reacts with chlorine and naturally occurring bromide in water.

Driven by Scarcity and Regulation

The market for technologies like EnviroBalls™ is fueled by pressing global trends and stringent government oversight. Water utilities, particularly in arid regions, are in a constant battle against evaporation, which can claim a significant portion of their stored water. For these municipalities, a floating cover system presents a direct path to conserving a vital resource.

Furthermore, regulatory mandates have become a powerful driver of adoption. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has pushed for the protection of open-air drinking water reservoirs to safeguard public health. It was this regulatory pressure that partly spurred the large-scale shade ball deployment in Los Angeles, which was aimed at complying with water quality standards.

The applications extend into industrial safety and aviation. In the mining and chemical sectors, floating covers are used to suppress hazardous vapors and acid mists from process tanks and containment ponds, helping facilities meet air quality regulations. Near airports, they serve a critical safety function. Open bodies of water like stormwater retention ponds are a natural attraction for birds, which pose a significant bird-strike risk to aircraft. By covering the water, EnviroBalls™ eliminate the visual lure, deterring birds from congregating near runways. This application is so established that competing products have already received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for wildlife hazard mitigation.

Industrial Efficiency and Environmental Stewardship

For industrial operators, the benefits of a floating cover system translate directly to the bottom line and environmental compliance. In mining, the balls can be deployed on toxic tailings ponds, creating a physical barrier that prevents birds and other wildlife from coming into contact with contaminated water. In sectors from paper production to metal processing, they help control odors and suppress chemical emissions.

GES highlights the system's modularity and ease of installation as key differentiators. Unlike fixed or membrane-based covers that require anchoring, structural supports, and significant capital investment, the floating balls can be simply emptied onto the water surface. This allows for scalable deployment, enabling operators to cover a portion of a lagoon or expand coverage over time as budgets and needs change.

"EnviroBalls™ water covers are a proven, straightforward solution for reducing evaporation, limiting algae growth, and protecting water quality," Petrilli added. The company emphasizes its engineering support, offering coverage modeling and sizing calculations to ensure performance for each specific application.

The Engineering and Economic Equation

The design's elegance lies in its simplicity and durability. Manufactured from UV-stabilized HDPE, the balls are engineered to resist degradation from sunlight, temperature fluctuations, and a wide range of chemicals, with some manufacturers of similar products claiming a lifespan of over two decades. This longevity, combined with minimal maintenance requirements, creates a compelling economic case.

The return on investment is calculated through direct savings on water, reduced chemical treatment costs, and, in some cases, energy conservation. For heated industrial tanks, the insulating layer of balls can reduce heat loss by up to 75%, slashing energy bills.

However, the technology is not without its critics or complexities. A 2018 life cycle analysis of the Los Angeles shade ball project conducted by researchers from MIT and Imperial College London raised questions about its overall environmental footprint. The study suggested that the water and energy consumed during the manufacturing and transportation of the millions of plastic balls may have outweighed the water saved during their initial years of deployment, effectively shifting the environmental burden rather than eliminating it.

Concerns have also been voiced in public forums regarding the potential for chemicals like BPA to leach from the plastic into drinking water sources over long periods of exposure to sunlight. While HDPE is widely considered a stable and safe plastic, the long-term impacts in such applications remain a subject of scrutiny.

As Global Environmental Solutions enters this competitive field alongside established players like HexaCover and Armor Ball, it brings a product that addresses clear and urgent needs. The global market for floating covers is projected to grow significantly in the coming decade, driven by the undeniable pressures of climate change, population growth, and the universal need for clean, safe water. The success of EnviroBalls™ will depend not only on their performance but also on navigating the complex economic and environmental questions that surround this deceptively simple solution.