Saudi Firm to Blame for Pumping Water in Drought-Stricken Arizona

Amidst a prolonged drought, a Saudi-owned company, Fondomonte Arizona, has been pumping water from deep underground in Arizona’s Butler Valley to cultivate alfalfa hay for export to Saudi Arabia. This arrangement, allowed by the state of Arizona for nearly a decade, has come under scrutiny due to concerns about water scarcity and the lack of transparency surrounding the company’s water usage.

Source: CBS Mornings/YouTube

The state of Arizona had leased the desert land to Fondomonte, granting the company unlimited access to water for its alfalfa crops. However, for years, there were no regulations in place to monitor the amount of water being used. State planners had initially proposed installing meters and requiring water use reporting from Fondomonte, but the suggestion was rejected by officials cautious about challenging the powerful company and influenced by the belief that water is private property rather than a public resource.

Arizona’s lax regulatory environment, coupled with Fondomonte’s lobbying efforts and connections, allowed the company to freely access and consume a scarce American resource. The Saudi-owned farm’s operations have relied on the water-intensive cultivation of alfalfa, a crop that is banned in Saudi Arabia due to the country’s limited water supply. Fondomonte employed influential Republican lawyers and former members of Congress to advocate for its interests and gain Support from the local community.

As the scarcity of water in Arizona reaches critical levels, state officials are beginning to realize the impact of unregulated farming and unchecked water consumption. A study conducted by the new governor, Democrat Katie Hobbs, revealed that groundwater in certain areas would be insufficient to meet future demand. In response, the governor’s administration has demanded greater transparency regarding water usage on state-owned land. Only after facing the threat of lease cancellation did Fondomonte disclose its annual water consumption, which is equivalent to that of a city with over 50,000 residents.

The governor’s aides are recommending against renewing Fondomonte’s leases in the Butler Valley when they expire next year, a decision that could potentially lead to a confrontation with the company. The outcome of this dispute will have significant implications not only for foreign companies seeking access to American natural resources but also for the future of agriculture in the face of intensifying droughts and competing demands for water resources.

Fondomonte’s presence in Arizona has divided the local community. Some residents express concerns about foreign companies depleting local water supplies, while others, including cattle ranchers, worry about water being diverted to urban areas instead of supporting local agriculture. The controversy surrounding Fondomonte highlights the complex issues surrounding water rights, water management, and the delicate balance between rural and urban water needs.

Arizona’s experience with Fondomonte serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of sustainable water management practices and the need for robust regulations to ensure the equitable distribution and preservation of water resources. As climate change continues to exacerbate water scarcity, proactive measures and responsible stewardship of water will be crucial to mitigate conflicts and ensure the long-term sustainability of communities and ecosystems.

Planet B Not Found Tee by Tiny Rescue: Climate Collection

Related Content:

• Uruguay’s Struggle with Drought: Seeking Solutions to Water Scarcity
• Climate Activists Turn Rome’s Iconic Fountain into a Symbol of Drought and Crisis
• Venice Canals Run Dry Amid Fears of Another Drought in Italy
• How California, Arizona, and Other Western States Are Creating New Water Supply During Drought
• Over 200 Elephants and Thousand Other Wild Animals Die Amid Kenya Drought

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and essential stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!