COMPLEMENTING CONSERVATION & REUSE
Because Aurora is a large city not located near a major water source, Aurora Water has had to be creative and forward-thinking in its “all-of-the-above” approach to meeting the community’s water needs, such as:
- Conservation: Aurora Water is a national leader in water conservation initiatives.
- Reuse: Aurora Water has the largest water reuse system in Colorado.
- Storage: Aurora Water manages complex systems that transport water up to 150 miles and store enough water to supply the city for one year in case of emergency.
While Aurora Water is a national leader in water conservation and reuse, these efforts alone are not enough to sustain emergency water reserves in the long term. The proposed Wild Horse Reservoir—in combination with ongoing water conservation and reuse efforts—was deemed to be the best approach to ensuring reliable water delivery for community needs and maintaining emergency water reserves.
These approaches are necessary to provide a reliable supply of water in times of drought and system emergencies. While conservation and reuse maximize the use of water, reservoirs serve as water bank accounts. Aurora Reservoir is the city’s closest reservoir and is used like a debit card to meet the community’s daily water needs. Mountain reservoirs—like Wild Horse Reservoir—operate more like a savings account and are used when needed.
AURORA’S CONSERVATION AND REUSE ACHIEVEMENTS