Secondary clarifiers at Aurora Water's Sand Creek Water Reclamation Facility.

Conserving water for future generations

Since 1968, Aurora has used reclaimed water to irrigate golf courses, parks and landscaping at city buildings. Using reclaimed water reduces the demand on our drinking water system and conserves the water available in our reservoirs.

Aurora operates the 5 million gallon per day (mgd) Sand Creek Water Reclamation Facility. Treated water is provided for irrigation at the following sites: Aurora Hills Golf Course, Fitzsimons Golf Course, Springhill Golf Course, Murphy Creek Golf Course, Centre Hills Golf Course, the Aurora Municipal Center, Del Mar Park, Highline Park, Bicentennial Park, Sports Park and the I-225 and Alameda interchange.

Aurora also has reclamation hydrants to supply city water trucks with additional water for median and greenbelt watering and sewer cleaning. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) regulates the use of reclaimed water. Reclaimed water is wastewater that comes from homes and businesses that has been treated at a wastewater plant.

Currently, Buckley Air Force Base and the Aurora Public Schools are allowed to use reclaimed water for irrigation purposes only by hand watering from water trucks that are specially adapted for reclamation use. Landscape irrigation to single family homes is currently not allowed under state law.

The National Association of Clean Water Agencies has given Aurora Water’s Sand Creek Water Reclamation Facility the Platinum Recognition in its Peak Performance Awards. The honor recognizes Aurora’s water reuse facility for 8 years of consecutive 100% NPDES permit compliance.