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Aurora Water reports 8.5% drop in use, $61,000 in fines; committee weighs fines, annexation and construction‑water changes
Summary
Committee heard that citywide water use is down about 8.5% year‑to‑date, staff have collected roughly $61,000 in fines so far, and staff proposed tighter controls on construction hydrant meters while planning clarifies annexation criteria tied to sewer and supply constraints.
At the July 15 Water Policy Committee meeting staff reported notable conservation progress and outlined how enforcement revenue and policy changes may be used. “As of yesterday, we were about 8.5% down citywide 2026 to 2025,” a staff presenter said, citing AMI (advanced metering infrastructure) data showing a year‑over‑year decline in indoor and outdoor use.
Staff said they have made roughly 3,421 customer contacts since July 1, issued just over 2,000 warnings and recorded about 151 fines totaling approximately $61,000. Councilmember Lawson asked where fine revenue is recorded and whether it could be used for conservation programs. Staff replied that fines and surcharges flow into the water revenue bucket and that council authorization is required to reallocate revenue. “The fine money, both fines and surcharge money, both goes back into our revenue bucket,” staff said; they added that surcharges are specifically designed to offset lost revenue and that, if collections exceed estimates, staff may return with a request to supplement rebate programs such as xeriscape grants.
The committee also discussed large customers: staff described conversations with Cherry Creek and Aurora Public Schools and said most schools have been cooperative; staff noted one older data center uses about 60 acre‑feet per year for evaporative cooling and that retrofitting to closed‑loop cooling could near‑eliminate operational water use after an initial fill. Staff said they recently met with a large data center and discussed a possible rebate partnership to offset retrofit costs.
On annexation, staff said planning is leading policy changes but water and other departments are increasing the role of water in annexation criteria. Staff reported pushing back on a developer’s large eastern annexation proposal because sewer capacity and water‑supply timing pose constraints. “We pointed that out to them. They decided to just press it forward anyway,” staff said.
On construction water, staff said state law requires dust suppression but does not require that water be used for suppression; staff are reviewing alternatives and have recalled construction (hydrant) meters and are issuing tighter, location‑specific permits requiring reporting. “State law requires dust suppression. It doesn't require that water be used for that,” staff told the committee.
Finally, staff noted outreach and yard‑sign programs for residents converting lawns to Waterwise landscaping, and the committee confirmed the water tour schedule and likely cancellation of the August 19 meeting if the tour provides a quorum. Staff said they will return later this year with proposals to highlight how any fines or surcharge surpluses could be spent on rebates or conservation programs.
