Preparing for the Future Through Optimization of a Water Reuse System

Significant treatment and distribution system upgrades have been incorporated into the City of Aurora's (Colorado) reuse water system since its construction in the late 1960's. With each upgrade, the City realized the system limitations that resulted from the lack of storage. The 2008 master plan outlined system improvements to optimize the existing system. A capital improvements plan (CIP) was also developed to provide a framework to implement the proposed improvements. The CIP includes development of preliminary reuse water rates to fund the proposed improvements. The reuse rate structure provides a foundation for implementation of the CIP while maintaining reuse water rates at 80% of the potable water rate. In addition to the technical, financial, and institutional barriers for implementing reuse projects, the weak local economy combined with the City's large potable water system projects created a substantial barrier that was overcome for expansion of the system within the City.