Need

In 2002 and 2003 a historic drought significantly affected Aurora’s water supplies and the city was faced with the prospect of rationing water to keep from running out of water.

While Aurora’s water system performs well in average and wet years, Aurora needs more water today to meet the needs of its businesses and families, and to protect the city from drought. Colorado’s arid environment and cycles for drought makes this a challenge for all Colorado cities. Aurora’s plan includes projects that will strengthen the reliability of the existing water system, expand Aurora’s leading water conservation measures, increase the city’s water supply, provide more water storage, and upgrade existing water infrastructure.

After implementing aggressive conservation efforts to help lessen drought impacts—measures that today place the city as a conservation leader among Front Range communities—Aurora evaluated more than 50 water resource alternatives and concluded that the Prairie Waters Project is the best solution for the city to obtain more water resources for today's customers.

The Prairie Waters Project is the fastest, most cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable way to meet the city’s immediate water needs and can be expanded in the future. Today’s solutions to meet these needs require vision and cooperation with others, like farmers and ranchers, to meet the supply need for people while also protecting our environment.