AURORA — Aurora's new water rules touch nearly every lawn in the city. Here's what changed Monday night.
What takes effect Oct. 1: virtually all outdoor spray irrigation is banned through April 30. The city extends the deadline to Oct. 15 only for heavily used turf like sports fields. Drip systems and hand watering for trees and shrubs are treated differently under the ordinance — check Aurora Water's guidance before winterizing.
What changes for new construction: new residential and commercial projects can no longer install cool-weather turf such as Kentucky bluegrass or fescue, and new ornamental fountains and ponds are banned. Drought-tolerant warm-season grasses like Tahoma 31 remain permitted.
Why now: Aurora Water says about half of city consumption still goes to outdoor irrigation, and statewide drought conditions continue to strain storage. The city previously banned only "nonfunctional" turf in 2022 — the new ordinance applies to all new turf installation.
