How Recharge Works in Avra Valley
How Tucson Water Creates the Blend from Our Renewable Colorado River
Water Resource and the Native Groundwater
Tucson Water recharges our Colorado River water at the Clearwater Facility in Avra Valley west of the city. Here Colorado River water is put into specially constructed basins and allowed to soak into the earth where it blends naturally with the native groundwater. The blend is then recovered by wells and added to our water supply. As we increase our use of Colorado River water, the mineral content of this blend will increase over time until it reaches 650 in about 2020.
Clearwater Illustration
Recharge
Colorado River water is put into basins and allowed to soak into the earth where it blends naturally with the native groundwater. Wells then recover the blend and it's added to the water distribution system. About 50% of the water delivered by Tucson Water comes from the Clearwater Facility.
The Clearwater Facility
Phase I of Clearwater began delivering water in 2001. Phase II of the facility is in the planning stages. By 2015, all of Tucson's 44 billion gallons a year of Colorado River water will be in use at Clearwater.
