[News](/in/en/news/) / [Cover balls](/in/en/news/?category=cover-balls) 2 February 2026 # What Is a Water-Filled Shade Ball? ## Water-Filled Shade Ball – a Reliable Solution for Stronger Wind Conditions Shade ball coverage is a technically proven and widely used solution for protecting open water and other liquid surfaces. Reducing evaporation, limiting algae growth, mitigating odours and deterring birds are key benefits that make shade balls a preferred technology in industrial and agricultural applications. When selecting the appropriate shade ball solution, **local wind conditions must be taken into account**, as wind loads directly affect the stability of the continuous floating layer formed by shade balls on the liquid surface. ## What Problems Do Shade Balls Solve? The use of shade balls provides effective answers to several interconnected operational and environmental challenges: - **Reduction of evaporation loss** The floating cover layer can reduce evaporation by up to ~90%, resulting in significant water savings, especially for large-surface reservoirs. - **Limitation of algae growth and water quality degradation** Shade balls block sunlight from reaching the water, creating an unfavourable environment for algae and aquatic plants. - **Odour reduction** By limiting the interaction between the liquid surface and the surrounding air, unpleasant odours are significantly reduced by the insulating ball layer. - **Bird deterrence and surface camouflage** Covering open water surfaces reduces bird activity, which is particularly important at airports and industrial sites. - **Reduction of temperature fluctuations** The insulating effect of the shade ball layer results in a more stable liquid temperature. - **Improved operational safety** Shade balls require no maintenance, automatically follow liquid level changes and do not obstruct water extraction or the movement of equipment. ## The Role of Wind in Choosing the Right Shade Ball Standard air-filled shade balls typically weigh **around 40 grams** and provide an ideal solution under normal conditions, with wind resistance up to approximately **80 km/h**. However, at certain sites — such as open, unobstructed locations or large water surfaces — **stronger wind gusts may occur**, making alternative solutions necessary. Air-filled shade balls with a diameter of 100 mm submerge only **15–20 mm** into the liquid. Due to their low weight and relatively large exposed surface area, extreme wind gusts may lift and displace them in severe conditions. For such windy or exposed locations, the most effective solution is the water-filled shade ball ## Water-Filled Shade Ball – Increased Stability for Stronger Winds Water-filled shade balls are designed for applications where wind loads are higher than average. Thanks to a special manufacturing process: - the weight of each shade ball increases from **40 g to approximately 240 g**, - the diameter remains **100 mm**, - the surface coverage ratio remains **~91%**, - the system remains stable at wind speeds of up to **150 km/h**. The increased weight effectively prevents displacement while maintaining all functional advantages of standard shade balls. These balls are half submerged in the liquid, further enhancing stability. ## When Is a Water-Filled Shade Ball Recommended? Water-filled shade balls are particularly recommended for the following applications: - wind-exposed reservoirs located on flat terrain, - high water level reservoirs with low embankments or shallow containment walls, - large-scale (>1,500 m²) industrial, agricultural or municipal reservoirs, - liquid manure storage facilities where a stable floating layer can form, - open water surfaces associated with airports, - facilities where wind loads consistently exceed the operating range of standard air-filled shade balls. Not every project requires a water-filled solution — in many cases, **standard air-filled shade balls** provide a fully adequate and cost-effective option. ## Summary The **water-filled shade ball** offers a targeted solution wherever reliable, long-term surface coverage is required under stronger wind conditions. The key to a successful system is not overdimensioning, but selecting the technically appropriate solution based on site-specific conditions. This is where expert support becomes essential. Shade balls are manufactured at the **Euro-Matic Kft. Budapest headquarters**, supported by European manufacturing standards and quality assurance. You can read more details about [Euro-Matic Birdballs](https://euro-matic.eu/in/en/products/#cover-balls) [Contact us!](https://euro-matic.eu/in/en/contact/) ### Related Product [ Cover balls The Euro-Matic outdoor cover ball is the best choice for airports, mines, sewage treatment plants and livestock farms, as well as for covering reservoirs. Learn more ](/in/en/products/cover-balls/)### What is a cover ball? The cover ball is a hollow high quality plastic ball that can be used to create a continuous cover layer on the surface of liquids. Depending on the amount of balls placed on a given surface, they can cover up 91% of the surface in a regular shape, self-arranging next to each other. This cover layer separates and isolates the open surface of the liquid from its surroundings, i.e. it significantly reduces the effect of the liquid on the environment and vice versa. In English, several names are used for these balls, often referred to as ‘shade ball’, ‘cover ball’, ‘armor ball’, ‘barrier ball’, or ‘bird ball’. We, as a proud European Manufacturer, call them cover ball and Bird Ball™. [VIEW OUR PRODUCTS](https://euro-matic.eu/in/en/shop/?category=cover-balls) ### How does it work? What can it be used for? The cover balls have countless benefits, so it can be used in many diverse areas. Those advantages usually help our partners to achieve their goals for cost-saving, more efficient water management, safer work environment, environment and nature protection. Thus, the Bird Ball™ is an excellent solution for reducing evaporation, preserving water quality, preventing algae formation, keeping birds away, camouflaging the water surface, thermal insulation, reducing heating costs, reducing the release of toxic gases and vapors, reducing unpleasant odors, covering hazardous materials and many more, where cost savings or other beneficial effects can be achieved as a result of use. ### ### Types **Bird Ball™****Water-filled Bird Ball™****Self-Filling Ball®** Diameter100 mm100 mm100 mm Weight40 g240 g40 g MaterialHDPEHDPEHDPE UV resistanceYesYesYesColorBlackBlackClear/black Warranty10 years10 years10 years Wind resistanceUp to 80 km/hUp to 150 km/hUp to 150 km/h PackagingBig-bag, cardboard or in bulkBig-bag or in bulkBig-bag, cardboard or in bulk Quantity116 balls/m2116 balls/m2116 balls/m2 [SEND ME AN OFFER](https://euro-matic.eu/in/en/get-a-quote/) ## Shop Cover balls [See all products](/in/en/shop/?category=cover-balls) [Fish Ball 38/50 mm 8,3 g clear € 120,00 / 1000 pcs ](/in/en/shop/fish-ball-38-50-mm-8-3-g-clear/) [Fish Ball 38/50 mm 8,3 g transparent blue € 126,00 / 1000 pcs ](/in/en/shop/fish-ball-38-50-mm-8-3-g-transparent-blue/) [Bird ball™ 100 mm 40 g black ](/in/en/shop/bird-ball-TM-100-mm-40-g-black/) [Water-filled Bird ball™ 100 mm 240 g black ](/in/en/shop/water-filled-bird-ball-TM-100-mm-240-g-black/) ### Related References [ Water-filled Bird Ball™ at Brussels Airport Cover balls ](/in/en/references/offloading-bird-balls-at-brussels-airport/) [ Covering water reservoirs with outdoor cover balls Cover balls ](/in/en/references/covering-water-reservoirs-with-outdoor-cover-balls/) [ At Heathrow Airport, since 2004 Cover balls ](/in/en/references/at-heathrow-airport-since-2004-/) [ Bird Ball™ balls in sewage treatment plants Cover balls ](/in/en/references/bird-ball-balls-in-sewage-treatment-plants/) [ Bird Balls™ are also used at Klagenfurt Airport Cover balls ](/in/en/references/bird-balls-are-also-used-at-klagenfurt-airport/) [](/) [News](/in/en/news/) [About us](/in/en/about-us/) [Products](/in/en/products/) [Contact](/in/en/contact/) [References](/in/en/references/) [Shop](/in/en/shop/) If you would like to buy a bigger amount, please ask for [an individual offer](/hu/hu/arajanlat-keres/)! 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