Colorado city uses 15-minute water data from smart meters to catch illegal lawn watering

Aurora, Colorado, is using smart water meters to enforce drought rules as the city faces severe water shortages. The meters track water use throughout the day. This allows Aurora Water, the city’s municipal utility department, to identify lawns being watered outside the permitted schedule.Under the city’s current Stage 1 drought restrictions, grass can be watered only two days a week and not between 10am and 6pm. A third watering day can therefore stand out in the data and lead to a warning or fine. The approach gives the city a way to monitor thousands of properties without relying entirely on neighbours to report violations. It also shows how water conservation is becoming more closely linked with digital technology, as Aurora tries to reduce outdoor water use while protecting reservoirs that are only about half full during a particularly dry year across Aurora.Why has Aurora turned to smart water metersAurora is dealing with a serious water shortage. According to the ‘City of Aurora’s drought information,’ the city is currently in Stage 1 drought, with reservoirs only about half full. The city says returning those supplies to sustainable levels could take several wet winters. As...