TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- A new plant constructed in Avra Valley means that Tucson can finally begin taking nearly all of its share of Colorado River water.

It means billions of gallons of Central Arizona Project water will be stored underground for use in the Tucson area.

The Southern Avra Valley Storage and Recovery Project has nine large basins that let water from the CAP canal trickle into the ground to be pumped out for use.

The new plant combined with the Central Avra Valley Storage and Recovery Project will put about 47 billion gallons of Colorado River water into the ground a year, almost all of the city's share of river water that flows into southern Arizona some 336 miles from Lake Havasu.

Until now Tucson was unable to take the full allotment, a city news release said.

"By fall we will have all nine basins online," said Tucson Water spokesman Mitch Basefsky.

Eventually the city will build a new pipeline and reservoir that will bring a blend of ground water and river water into the city.

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Information from: Tucson Citizen, http://www.tucsoncitizen.com

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