Arizona Judge Lets Groundwater Lawsuit Against Fondomonte Move Forward
An Arizona judge ruled on May 15 that a lawsuit against Fondomonte for excessive groundwater pumping can proceed.
Why it matters: The decision signals potential shifts in groundwater rights enforcement for arid states, heightening legal risks for large-scale agricultural operations. It could reshape environmental compliance strategies for major land and water users.
- Court order required to declare Fondomonte's groundwater pumping illegal, even in regulated zones.
- Fondomonte is accused of pumping 31,196 acre-feet of water in 2023—enough for 93,000 homes.
- Arizona alleges declining aquifers, land subsidence, and dry wells tied to Fondomonte's operations.
- The company, a subsidiary of Saudi-owned Almarai, claims full compliance and vows to fight the lawsuit.
An Arizona court ruled on May 15, 2026, that a lawsuit targeting Fondomonte Arizona LLC's groundwater pumping practices can proceed, underscoring the necessity of a court order to declare such pumping illegal—regardless of existing active management area regulations.
- Fondomonte—a subsidiary of Saudi conglomerate Almarai—has operated in the state since 2014, farming water-intensive alfalfa for export.
- The Arizona Attorney General's 2024 suit alleges Fondomonte's practices in La Paz County constitute a public nuisance, leading to dropping water tables, dry wells, and land subsidence up to 9.8 inches near its sites.
- State officials previously terminated Fondomonte’s Butler Valley leases in October 2023, with inspections confirming irrigation had ceased by March 2024 (details).
Attorney General Kris Mayes argued, "Arizona law is clear: no company has the right to endanger an entire community's health and safety for its own gain." Fondomonte disputes the claims, arguing its operations comply fully with state law and vowing vigorous legal defense.
The case is closely watched by water and environmental law practitioners, as a ruling on the legality of such pumping could solidify new precedents for groundwater management across the U.S. Southwest.
By the numbers:
- 31,196 acre-feet — Fondomonte's 2023 groundwater use in Ranegras Plain Basin
- 4,000 gallons/minute — Capacity of each Fondomonte well
- 9.8 inches — Maximum measured land subsidence near Fondomonte farms
Yes, but: Fondomonte maintains its operations comply with state regulations and calls the Attorney General's claims unfounded.