“This aquifer is our Colorado River”: Rural residents struggle when corporate farms drill deep for water
From the Governor to the Attorney General, Arizona officials grapple with saving rural water supplies.
The Buzz: Arizona's rural water fight continues
Debate over how to regulate groundwater pumping continue, with some officials calling for immediate action.
Efforts to protect Santa Cruz River gain ground with federal conservation plan
Community leaders and federal officials join forces to safeguard one of America’s most endangered plans
AG Mayes wants approval of new well for Saudi-backed alfalfa farm revoked
Mayes letter to state water department requests action within 10 business days.
Never closer and never farther away: The fight over updating Arizona's rural groundwater law
How a group that was formed to fight the problem resulted in two competing bills, neither of which made it out of the legislature.
Hobbs willing to use administrative action over water
The Governor spent the day in Cochise County meeting with farmers and homeowners.
Saudi-backed farm Fondomonte receives approval for new well on its property
The new well is a sign that the company is growing its Arizona operations despite the loss of state land leases.
Hedge funds and foreign farms get water, rural Arizonans get empty wells
A Saudi presence in La Paz County is already well known. So who else is using the area's water?
The Buzz: Arizona/Saudi relations go back long before Fondomonte
We listen to an episode of AZPM's podcast Tapped that traces the link between the two deserts
From date palms to alfalfa: How Arizona became fertile ground for Saudi farms
What started with a camel handler would grow into a lucrative trade, but eventually ended in exploitation of lax water laws.
Arizona Corporation Commission urges congress to exempt utilities from EPA hazardous waste costs
ACC pushes for federal legislation to avoid higher utility rates and cleanup expenses following EPA hazardous substance regulations.
Hedge fund buys $100 million of land in La Paz County
Land is in an area that has little regulation on groundwater pumping, and could be sent elsewhere in the state.
Arizona, Nevada and Mexico will lose same amount of Colorado River water next year as in 2024
Long-term challenges remain for the 40 million people reliant on the imperiled river.
As Colorado River states await water cuts, they struggle to find agreement on longer-term plans
Years of overuse combined with rising temperatures and drought have meant less water flows in the Colorado today than in decades past.
Two rivers, one lifeline: Reclaiming the Santa Cruz across borders
US-Mexico collaboration has improved the once polluted and depleted Santa Cruz River. Challenges like flooding and wastewater management persist, requiring new infrastructure and funding. Despite progress, managing water across borders remains ongoing.
