Aurora water customers will be encouraged to conserve this summer by thinking about their pocketbooks.

On Monday night, the city council approved a water budget program where households that use less water during the summer than they have in the past pay less for water than those who use the same amount or more.

"Our citizens said they wanted us to reward conservation, so that's what we've done," said Aurora Mayor Ed Tauer.

If Aurora goes into another stage two drought like last summer, those who cut their water usage to just 70 percent or less of what they have used in past summers will pay about $3.34 for every 1,000 gallons of water they use.

If they use as much water as they have averaged in past years, that price jumps to just over $5. And if a household's water usage is up from the past, the homeowners will have to pay $6.68 for every 1,000 gallons of water used.

The cost is based on individual houses.

"This requires adjusting your outdoor water use to be in line with what your lawn really needs -- that means more water in June, July and August at the lowest surcharge rates and much less water in spring and fall. If our customers pay attention to their watering habits they will benefit, there is no doubt of that," said Peter Binney, director of Aurora utilities.

The city has not finalized billing for a stage one drought, which is expected April 12. Whatever surcharges are finalized will take effect May 1.

Aurora has also recently leased more than 18,350 acre feet of water to offset the impacts of continued severe drought on the city's water system.