I push the button when there is a button there because I assume the button is there for a reason, that it controls something, or indicates to the system that I want to cross. When there is no button and still a crosswalk man, I assume that if I wait, I will be allowed to cross. It is not a feeling of control that I want but just to simply cross the street. I prefer the no button style...

@clinton robert labombard :
The reason that those chemicals are in the water is because the LADWP stores their water treated. There are no fish to kill in those particular reservoirs. This will actually reduce chlorine usage because the lack of sunlight will reduce the number of algal blooms thus, less treatment is needed to keep the water clean. An no the balls won't biodegrade , that's the point, they will just be collected later or left in the reservoir. This is just a quick solution for the need to cover the reservoir.