I was wondering about the heat absorption and evaporation but until it is quantified we won't know for sure to what extent, but for certain there will be water loss, and anything in a medium shade is likely not to be any better in that regard...and white probably would not block enough sunlight to prevent algae growth or slow evaporation sufficiently. And we haven't even seen the other effects this might have on Gaia's creatures. And what about wind action? And do they chemically treat this water at all, if so what effect does that have with or without balls of any color? As usual, government action is almost always agenda-driven, crony-benefiting and ultimately horrid for everyone else. It's almost like they adopted the EPA strategy and created chaos as means to create the next fund raiser for bureaucrats and cronies. In fact I am going to outright say their motives were nefarious from the start and will continue to be nefarious throughout. They (can be applied to any governmental body or bureaucratic empire) simply warrant no other courtesy given their track records.
But hey, WTF do I care? Once they run out of water the draconian action begins, heck these morons might even spark a war with neighbors over water rights.
If you are in California, GTFO.
Then watch the show like the rest of us.