Aurora Water's mission statement
Deliver safe, reliable, high-quality and sustainable water, sewer and stormwater services.
Our Mission
Aurora Water’s mission is to deliver safe, reliable, high-quality and sustainable water, sewer and stormwater services.
We serve more than 400,000 residents in Aurora — a large, rapidly growing city not located near major water sources. Because of this, Aurora has always had to think ahead. We've always had to be creative, pioneering and forward-thinking in our efforts to meet our community’s water needs.
A Strong Foundation
Early leaders had the foresight to build a strong foundation of water resources — a legacy Aurora Water still relies on today. Since establishing our own water utility in the 1950s, Aurora has planned carefully to ensure a diverse, resilient water supply.
Today, Aurora Water:
- Holds water rights in three river basins: the Colorado, Arkansas and South Platte
- Stores water in 12 reservoirs and lakes
- Transports water from up to 150 miles away, using an extensive network of pipes, tunnels and pump stations
- Stewards our resources and develops critical water systems by collaborating with key partners
Facing Colorado’s Water Reality
Aurora’s semi-arid climate and reliance on mountain snowmelt for our water supply make planning a necessity. Aurora Water's infrastructure is designed to help us weather both wet and dry years, with long-term sustainability in mind.
Pioneering Solutions
We lead the state in innovative drinking water reuse and purification. At the heart of Aurora Water's reuse efforts is the Peter D. Binney Water Purification Facility within the Prairie Waters System. Aurora Water has the largest reuse system in the country.
This advanced system:
- Uses natural filtration and cutting-edge treatment technologies
- Safely purifies reused water to meet — and exceed — drinking water standards
- Is a critical part of how we plan to meet future needs
High-Quality Water You Can Trust
Aurora Water prioritizes the health and safety of every resident. We go beyond all required state and federal drinking standards.
- Over 85,000 water quality tests are performed each year.
- To safeguard health, Aurora Water tests for many other substances not yet regulated or required.
- Aurora Water has received distinctions for treatment and distribution optimization from the Partnership for Safe Water–a collaboration with the American Water Works Association, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other water organizations. Aurora Water is the only water department in the country to receive the Phase IV 15-year Excellence in Water Treatment Award for all three purification facilities.
- Received the Partnership for Safe Water Phase IV President's Award for Distribution System Operation.
- Aurora Water’s Quality Control Lab has won the Outstanding Water Laboratory multiple times and as recently as 2024.
- Aurora Water has won multiple other industry awards for water quality and taste.
Learn more on our
Water Quality webpage.
Water Conservation as a Community Value
Every drop counts. Water conservation is one of the most effective ways to extend our water supply — and Aurora residents are leading the way. Since the early 2000s, water use per person is down by more than 30%.
Conservation efforts include:
- A non-functional turf ban
- Using reclaimed water to irrigate parks and golf courses
- Grass Replacement Incentive Program (GRIP), which replaces thirsty turf grass with water-wise landscaping
- We offer dozens of free programs to help residents and businesses save water — and money.
Learn more on our
Water Conservation webpage.
Planning for the Future
Aurora is expected to see one of the highest growth rates in Colorado’s Front Range. We are planning today to meet tomorrow’s challenges.
Questions? Contact [email protected].