Sometimes the most powerful innovations start with a simple idea—and a splash of color.
In the 1980s, engineers at the Irvine Ranch Water District needed a way to distinguish recycled water from drinking water. Blue, green, and red were already taken—so they picked purple.
That choice, sparked partly by a colorblind engineer’s perspective, became a worldwide standard for marking reclaimed water systems. It’s a story of practicality turned legacy, showing how a small visual change helped build trust in water reuse.
Episode at https://bit.ly/CAreuseOrangeCounty
The Golden State of Reuse is a series exploring the past, present, and future of water recycling across California.
The series is a collaboration with WateReuse California and sponsored by CDM Smith.
The series is also supported by the Sacramento Area Sewer District, Black & Veatch, and Monterey One Water.
waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability. Visit https://www.waterloop.org/
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