It’s heartening to see so much interest in who uses our water, and for what purpose.
But this debate desperately needs some context.
Did Arizona sell its water to the Saudis?
No (though this is a commonly searched question on Google).
The state Land Department leased land – not water – to Fondomonte. And it did so at well below market rates, without adequate explanation or transparency on the deal.
It’s fair question to ask whether Arizona can or should charge for water on the state trust land it leases, considering how precious and limited groundwater is.
But if anything, the Fondomonte deal points to the larger problem, which is that state law allows virtually unlimited pumping in rural areas.
We must slow the steady drain of rural groundwater. And that’s going to take a lot more than nixing one poorly crafted lease.
But aren't the Saudis pumping our water?
In a sense, yes.
Fondomonte is drawing water from the Butler Valley groundwater basin, one of a handful set aside for central Arizona cities to drain over time.
But so are farmers in the other transfer basins, and we seem to be OK with that.
Granted, Butler Valley is largely undeveloped. Fondomonte is presumed to be its largest current water user by far, though the company has never fully disclosed how much it has pumped.
It needs to be more forthcoming. So does the state.
But keep in mind that a little less than 10% of the alfalfa Arizona produces is exported, according to a working paper from University of Arizona agricultural economics professor Russell Tronstad and others.
And – plot twist – while Saudi Arbia gets about 40% of the alfalfa and other forage crops we send overseas, according to Tronstad’s analysis of federal and state export data, China is the bigger beneficiary, accounting for 57% of Arizona’s exported forage in 2021.
Tronstad estimates that of all the water used to irrigate farmland in Arizona, exported alfalfa accounts for 2% to 4.6% of it – or 121,000 acre-feet to 202,000 acre-feet in 2022.
That’s not insignificant. The city of Phoenix typically delivers a little more than 300,000 acre-feet of water to taps each year, for comparison.
But considering that agriculture accounts for about 70% of water use statewide, exported alfalfa represents just a few drops in that bucket.
Reach Allhands atjoanna.allhands@arizonarepublic.com. On Twitter:@joannaallhands.
The Saudis aren't draining Arizona.Not even close. This is a common misconception, fueled by news that Arizona offered a Saudi Arabian-based company, Fondomonte, a sweetheart deal to farm state trust land in La Paz County. It's heartening to see so much interest in who uses our water, and for what purpose.
PHOENIX - Governor Katie Hobbs has announced the termination of a groundwater lease for Fondomonte Arizona, the Saudi-based company that operates an alfalfa farming operation in La Paz County.
Arizona communities sink after Saudi Arabia pumps water out of the state: 'It's horrific' Arizona took steps to rectify the overuse of water in October, but it is reportedly still dealing with the fallout after years' worth of groundwater drilling.
Climate-challenged countries like Saudi Arabia have increasingly looked to faraway places like Arizona for the water and land to grow forage for livestock and commodities such as wheat for domestic use and export.
“The waters of all sources, flowing in streams, canyons, ravines or other natural channels, or in definite underground channels, whether perennial or intermittent, flood, waste or surplus water, and of lakes, ponds and springs on the surface, belong to the public and are subject to appropriation and beneficial use..... ...
China currently holds 384,000 acres of land in the U.S., which is around 1% of all foreign-held acres. The total holdings for Saudi Arabian investors is about 36,000 acres.
Where Central Arizona's water comes from. Central Arizona's water supply comes from three main sources — the Colorado River, the Salt and Verde River systems, and groundwater.
RIO VERDE FOOTHILLS, Ariz. (CBS, KYMA/KECY) - It's a story that's making national headlines. On January 1, 2023, about 1,000 people who live in the Rio Verde Foothills had their water supply cut off by the City of Scottsdale.
Desalination plants provide about half the country's drinking water. About 40% comes from groundwater. The remainder comes from surface water (about 10%). Desalinated water is prevalent along the coasts, surface water in the southwest region and groundwater elsewhere.
Two years ago, Fondomont's parent company, Saudi food giant Almarai, purchased another 10,000 acres of farmland about 50 miles away in Vicksburg, Arizona, for around $48 million. They will continue to come over here and buy properties where they can grow good-quality alfalfa hay and ship it back to the Middle East.
In 2021, the top partner countries from which Saudi Arabia Imports Food Products include United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Poland, Ireland and United States.
Answer: To the east, along the Persian Gulf, are the country's abundant oil fields that, since the 1960s, have made Saudi Arabia synonymous with petroleum wealth. And Now after selling all their oils, Saudi Arabia is now focusing on Tourism opportunities.
Alaska. This cold state in the Pacific Northwest contains more than 40% of the country's surface water resources – it covers over 94,743 square miles of water area! Across Alaska, there are over 12,000 rivers, millions of lakes, and many creeks and ponds.
Billionaire T.Boone Pickens owned more water rights than any other individuals in America, with rights over enough of the Ogallala Aquifer to drain approximately 200,000 acre-feet (or 65 billion gallons of water) a year.
All water matters are handled by the Ministry of Water and Electricity. Aquifers are a major source of water in Saudi Arabia. They are vast underground reservoirs of water. In the 1970s, the government undertook a major effort to locate and map such aquifers and estimate their capacity.
PHOENIX - As 2024 begins, Arizona's restriction of water from the Colorado River will ease when compared to 2023. However, the real negotiations over water supply, and how it will impact Arizona farmers in the long run, have only just begun.
For the most part, the quality of Arizona's drinking water is pretty solid. For example, we don't have the lead issues found in Flint and at least 32 other American cities.
The agreement between the tribe, the Interior Department and Arizona gives the tribe the ability to lease, exchange or store a portion of its Colorado River water entitlement.
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