News Summary
Wenden, Arizona, is grappling with a critical water crisis due to significant groundwater depletion linked to corporate farming methods. The town has witnessed over 18 feet of subsidence in the past 80 years. With a growing reliance on the Colorado River, local residents are increasingly frustrated by water extraction practices that prioritize export over community needs. Legal actions have been initiated against major water users, highlighting the urgent need for regulation as the town navigates diminishing water supplies and increasing environmental challenges.
Wenden, Arizona is facing a critical water crisis, with the town experiencing severe groundwater depletion that has resulted in a dramatic subsidence of more than 18 feet over the past 80 years. The ongoing depletion is linked to intensive water use by corporate farming practices, particularly the cultivation of water-heavy crops like alfalfa. The local community is now forced to dig thousands of feet underground to access diminishing water supplies, and current conditions show no signs of improvement.
Approximately 38% of Wenden’s water supply is derived from the Colorado River, a significant source utilized by large cities such as Los Angeles and Phoenix, which are known for higher water consumption rates. In the last 15 years alone, Wenden has sunk into what is referred to as a subsidence bowl, with a total drop of over 3.5 feet and an alarming annual sinking rate of 2.2 inches. The reliance on groundwater has become increasingly urgent as local aquifer levels continue to plummet.
Research conducted by Arizona State University has established a connection between the rapid depletion of groundwater in the Colorado River Basin and heightened water usage. As corporate farms withdraw excessive amounts of groundwater, particularly Fondomonte, which reportedly uses about 81% of the water in the area, residents have begun to express frustration over the prioritization of exports over local needs. The lack of regulations governing groundwater usage in rural Arizona exacerbates the situation, with roughly 80% of the state allowing corporate entities to operate without mandatory reporting on water consumption.
The Arizona Attorney General, Kris Mayes, has initiated a nuisance lawsuit against Fondomonte, owned by Saudi Arabia’s largest dairy company, Almarai, for excessively withdrawing local groundwater. This legal action highlights the growing urgency of the issue as local water district officials have reported significant drops in aquifer levels due to rapid pumping practices. As a result, shallow wells in the community have faced drying up since 2015, leading to further hardships for local farmers who must now dig deeper to access dwindling water sources.
Historically, groundwater levels in Wenden have declined drastically from around 100 feet in the 1950s to approximately 540 feet by 2022. This substantial drop has raised concerns among residents and local farmers about the feasibility of future wells, which may also become unviable. Areas that are home to foreign-operated farms like Al Dahra are noted for similar concerns regarding excessive groundwater use and the lack of regulatory oversight.
In addition to water depletion, residents living close to corporate farms are facing new challenges, including increased flooding and ground sinking attributed to altered natural waterways. While some individuals acknowledge the economic benefits that these farms bring to the area, a growing number of residents are questioning if those benefits outweigh the critical loss of essential water resources.
The last significant regulatory action regarding groundwater management in Arizona occurred over four decades ago in 1980, leaving rural communities increasingly vulnerable to the consequences of corporate farming. Attempts to create new regulations for groundwater pumping have met with bipartisan disagreements in the state legislature, hindering action. Nonetheless, the governor has proposed establishing rural groundwater management areas in the forthcoming legislative session, signaling growing recognition of the need to address the crisis.
In light of the ongoing drought crisis, experts are emphasizing the urgent need for increased monitoring and regulation of groundwater use. The persistent depletion presents serious long-term sustainability concerns for Wenden and surrounding communities as they navigate the impacts of corporate farming and the pressing necessity of local water resources.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Fox 10 Phoenix: Arizona Town Actively Sinking
- Wikipedia: Water Crisis
- New York Times: Arizona Water Crisis in La Paz County
- Google Search: Arizona Groundwater Depletion
- CNN: Arizona Water and Foreign-Owned Farms
- Google Scholar: Arizona Water Management
- Fast Company: Arizona’s Historic Drought and Foreign Firms
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Groundwater
- My Herald Review: The Sinking Arizona Town
- Google News: Wenden Arizona
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
