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. Reclaimed water is wastewater that comes from homes and businesses that has been treated at a wastewater plant. Using reclaimed water reduces the demand on our drinking water system and conserves the water available in our reservoirs. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment regulates the use of reclaimed water.

Aurora operates the five million gallon per day (mgd) Sand Creek Water Reclamation Facility. Treated water is provided for irrigation at the following sites: Aurora Hills Golf Course, Springhill Golf Course, Murphy Creek Golf Course, the Aurora Municipal Center, Del Mar Park, Highline Park, Bicentennial Park, Sports Park and the I-225 and Alameda interchange, and for oil and gas operations. Aurora also has reclamation hydrants to supply city water trucks with additional water for median and greenbelt watering and sewer cleaning.

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 ten years of consecutive 100 percent NPDES permit compliance.