Go purple!

Reclaimed water is a new source of non-potable water that many water suppliers are offering to some users in both areas that typically experience water shortages (Contra Costa County) and those that typically wouldn't like in Happy Valley (OR). I think this is a great idea, it reduces the amount of effluent water typically sent to a river or other receiving water body, provides water that's non-potable (not drinkable) to users that don't need potable water such as: golf courses, construction sites, heating/cooling facilities, and other manufacturing processes. I'm not sure how clean (what level of treatment) the water has to be for use food crop production or livestock, I think those regulations are still being developed.

Here is the purple pipe developers are required to use. Notice the warning on the side. -I lost the photo somewhere, but it is purple/pink pipe with "CAUTION - RECLAIMED WATER" dot printed on the side. Found it!



Here is a standard hydrant installed by Contra Costa County, except this one has been modified with a 2 1/2 inch port versus the normal 3 inch connection for fire hoses. The County let's construction companies (typically) borrow a special meter assembly and they pay by calling in every month the amount of usage.

My version of the hydrant layout:


Other presentations on recycled water use.
http://www.watereuse.org/sections/california/northern-california/meeting/presentations