Aurora Water named recipient of the Irrigation Association SWAT Outstanding Public Engagement Award
FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA (Sept. 26, 2024) — The Irrigation Association has named Aurora Water in Aurora, Colorado, as the Smart Water Application Technologies 2024 Outstanding Public Engagement Award recipient.
This award recognizes a water provider with a successful program focused on engaging and educating the public on smart, efficient irrigation technologies and practices. By shining the spotlight on outstanding water providers and their innovative projects, the Irrigation Association is working to raise awareness among water customers of the value and impact our industry and this type of engagement can have on our communities.
Aurora Water offers its free outdoor water assessments to meet the needs of its customers by addressing a knowledge gap with operating, scheduling and maintaining an efficient irrigation system. The program educates customers on the importance of water conservation and assists them in identifying irrigation system issues so they can make repairs and updates to increase efficiency with new technologies and best practices. Those participating in the Outdoor Water Assessment Program receive a detailed, concise report outlining the findings and prioritized and mapped recommendations, as well as information about other water conservation programs.
“The Irrigation Association is proud to recognize Aurora Water with the 2024 Outstanding Public Engagement Award for their innovative and impactful Outdoor Water Assessment Program,” said IA CEO Natasha Rankin, MBA, CAE. “Aurora Water’s commitment to educating its community on smart irrigation practices through personalized, free outdoor water assessments has demonstrated significant water savings and increased awareness about the importance of conservation. Their ability to empower residents with tailored advice and sustainable solutions not only improves irrigation efficiency but also fosters long-term environmental stewardship.”
In 2024, the program conducted 345 assessments, marking a record-breaking participation year. In previous years, the outdoor water demand changed as a result of Outdoor Water Assessment Program participants by as much as 5 million fewer gallons.
The 2024 SWAT Outstanding Public Engagement Award was announced on Sept. 26 during the WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition. Applications for the 2025 IA SWAT awards will open in early 2025. For more information about the Irrigation Association go to irrigation.org, and for more information about the Smart Water Application Technologies coalition and our award winners, go to swatirrigation.org.