Aurora focuses on water savings with restrictions on data centers, new turf, tell me about this news in (https://www.denverpost.com/2026/09/15/aurora-data-centers-water-turf-ban/)

The city of Aurora, Colorado, is introducing major water conservation measures aimed at curbing heavy water demand by targeting both industrial tech facilities and outdoor landscaping.Key details of the policy developments include:

• Restrictions on Data Centers: Aurora City Council moved to prohibit data centers from using evaporative water-cooling systems, requiring facilities to rely on alternative methods such as air-cooling or closed-loop technologies that consume significantly less municipal water. The city is also exploring further zoning measures, such as noise standards, screening, and size distinctions for data facilities.
• Broad Turf Installation Bans: Building on an earlier 2022 ban that targeted nonfunctional grass, the updated rules prohibit the installation of standard cool-weather turf in new developments. Exceptions generally apply only to specific drought-tolerant, warm-season varieties (such as Tahoma 31).
• Ban on Ornamental Water Features: The measures also restrict new decorative outdoor water displays, fountains, and non-essential water features to eliminate unnecessary water loss through evaporation.
• Seasonal Irrigation Limitations: The ordinances introduce stricter limits on spray irrigation outside high-traffic zones during the late fall, winter, and early spring months to prevent waste during non-peak growth periods.
• Context of Severe Drought: The push comes as regional drought conditions strain water supplies across the Denver metropolitan area, where outdoor landscaping accounts for roughly half of municipal water use and rapid data center expansion presents growing competition for shared resources.