Aurora city in an increasingly arid climate, and Aurora Water is planning now to ensure there's enough water for the residents who call Aurora home today, as well as for future generations.
On Monday, Sept. 28, Aurora City Council passed an ordinance that places new restrictions on the installation of turf grass and ornamental water features like fountains and decorative across the city, along with seasonal limits on spray irrigation. The ordinance takes effect on Oct. 1 for most areas and Oct. 15 for high-use active areas like parks, athletic fields and residences.
Why now: Water used to irrigate high-water-use turf, and water lost to evaporation from ornamental water features, can't be recaptured and reused through Aurora Water's Prairie Waters potable reuse system. In a region where water is a finite resource, every drop matters.
What the ordinance does:
- Seasonal watering restrictions: Spray irrigation is prohibited from Oct. 1 through April 30 for most areas, and from Oct. 15 through April 30 for high-traffic active use areas like residential yards, parks and athletic fields.
- New turf and water features: The installation of new cool weather turf (such as Kentucky bluegrass and fescue) and ornamental water features is prohibited citywide.
What residents and businesses should know: The Oct. 1 date for shutting off an irrigation system is in line with best practices for maintaining and protecting sensitive pipes from costly damages due to freezing. In Colorado, the frost date is normally around the first week of October. If you haven’t already done so, be sure to blow out your irrigation system or schedule an irrigation specialist or landscaper to do this for you Aurora Water continues to promote low-water turf varieties and water-wise landscaping as attractive, functional alternatives that are better suited to the region's climate.