Color purple joins uniform color code for marking underground utilities

The color purple has recently joined the unofficial but widely -uniform color code for marking underground utilities in areas of construction and excavation.

The American Public Works Association, working with recommendations from One-Call Systems International, recently approved the addition of the color purple to designate reclaimed water, irrigation or slurry lines as opposed to the color blue which indicates potable water lines.

The changes are incorporated in APWA's Guideline for Uniform Temporary Marking of Underground Facilities, which has become a standard in many states as well as abroad.

The specific hue of the color purple--Pantone Color #253- was chosen to provide maximum recognition by both normal and color-deficient observers.

Other improvements in the guidelines focused on marking out-of-service or abandoned facilities, and the suggestion that a small stencil or logo be used when a line is designated by someone other than the property owner.

Additionally, it was also recommended that multiple lines in a joint trench be marked in tandem.