Aurora focuses on water savings with restrictions on data centers, new turf
Aurora City Council has given initial approval to new ordinances aimed at water conservation, including a ban on evaporative cooling systems specifically targeting water-intensive data centers. The city also tightened rules regarding turf installation for residents and businesses due to severe drought conditions in Colorado.
Aurora, Colorado's City Council recently gave initial approval to two ordinances aimed at water conservation amidst a severe drought. One significant measure targets data centers, proposing a ban on evaporative cooling systems notorious for their heavy water consumption. This is the first of several regulations Aurora plans to enact on data centers this year, with future rules expected to dictate their location and proximity to homes and schools.
Additionally, the council unanimously passed an ordinance tightening turf rules, requiring written permission from the city manager for new cool-weather grass installations, though warm-season turf is still permitted. The measure also bans ornamental water features without approval and restricts spray irrigation in non-high-traffic areas during cooler months. Aurora Water's General Manager Marshall Brown highlighted premature irrigation system usage last winter as a reason for the new rules. Both the data center and turf measures require final approval in two weeks to become law.