Inside Saudi company’s sweet water deal in Arizona

The Arizona Republic’s Rob O’Dell explains why a Saudi Arabian company’s deal for Arizona water raises questions for taxpayers, water users, the Legislature and the governor.

[@angelaonthego]

The problem isn’t that it’s being used to grow alfalfa. The problem is that a foreign govt got a sweetheart deal using taxpayer resources while taxpayers don’t have access to those resources and are paying high premiums. And who is pocketing the $$? It’s not going back into the public coffers….

[@adamtrombino106]

IMO, the insult to injury IS the fact that they're growing alfalfa to feed cows/animals, not even for people!

[@jerrrdy]

What happened to America First? Working class taxes pay for 20% of Israel’s army and fund their Dome program??? The don’t even have oil!!!!

[@krabysniper]

@@bigwooly8014 if it's feeding animals that Americans get to feed their families at a sweetheart deal of free, great. If those animals are ro feed the trash in the middle east, they are not humans and this needs to be stopped, IN WHATEVER WAY possible.

[@krabysniper]

@Jason McDaniel guaranteed it was the lefty 💩 head politicians in Arizona, all you lefties will suffer your crimes.

[@jacksevert3099]

Why did the Republicans do this? Are they the bad guys?

[@theNikkiDash]

Just follow the money. They don't care about us (Arizonans, Americans) at all.

[@heidi22209]

How did this happen?

[@KB-nt7eg]

@J F thank God you have the appearance of voting.

[@247VillainStatus]

No political party will save us. When are people going to learn?

[@Rythmortis]

@J F voting is what got us here, dip.

[@realityjunky]

@@heidi22209 Because no one stopped them.

[@YeahYall]

This isn't about the Saudis. This is definitely about corruption in state government and personal greed. No way a local resident would have gotten a deal like this.

[@tRumpForPrison24]

It’s about Gov Ducey and Saudi! Corrupt as they come. Anything to line their pockets, even being a traitor to their own country!

[@tomaszwida]

well u need to stop voting against your own interest, democracy is still strong in this country if u ignore ur civic duty and only 30% of population vote for your state electros this is what u get.

[@lisabrown7959]

Bingo!

[@NoNo-ce8xb]

@@tomaszwida yeah .... voting ..... that's the problem ......... LOL Damn you dumb af man ...

[@YeahYall]

@@tomaszwida Tell that to the folks in that community who voted their leadership into position.

[@anastacie40]

Thank you for covering this story, exposing some of the corruption that's taking place every day (behind closed doors), reporter Rob O'Dell, (with The Arizona Republic). Keep shining light on the corruption in AZ. Much respect to you, Mr. O'Dell.👏

[@bryanforeman3066]

This report is very good, lets people know Republican party that runs Arizona don't give a damn about the people. Eyes open in Arizona 😎😎💯

[@RivalStyles]

This is so bad. But this is an Issue with Arizona. How can you not meter the water usage of each property owner. Water should be looked after and accounted for. Especially when it's a non renewable source. No matter who owns it. Arizona needs to take action. Not just against the Saudi farm but all farms and users of its water sources. Literally has nothing to do with privacy. It should not be a right to hide how much water you use. Convince me differently. I'm all ears.

[@novalone3211]

Bot

[@polaroidwhite9037]

But trump said it's all fake news?

[@puccisnoopy]

Maybe John Oliver needs this news piece for his highly watched show on HBO

[@libiure]

the government officials that cut the deal got a lot of money in their pockets - the state attorney general's office should be investigating and indicting everyone that took bribes and payoffs ..

[@veganpotterthevegan]

The AG probably has stuffed pockets too

[@kerryjones1257]

100%

[@davesnothereman5150]

And apply eminent domain

[@Matt-fl8uy]

The Republicans laughed at the chump tax payers all the way to the bank.

[@aidanhogg5146]

@@Matt-fl8uy if we are going to fix things we must realize it’s not a dem rep problem.. it’s money greed It is a lack of consciousness, compassion, and community morals in the collective. We make up the state so it’s our collective problem/fault. We can’t be blaming everything but ourselves for what we are and create. Time to evolve.

[@mdj864]

I remember seeing this on Cronkite news YEARS ago-- People who lived in the area suddenly had their wells go dry. In the middle of our current water crisis, over 800 residents on the outskirts of scottsdale who were forced to haul water after their wells stopped producing, are now being told that as of January 2023, the state will no longer allow them to have water hauled to their homes-- and guess what? City of scottsdale has approved the construction of resort homes which will share the same boundary with these residents. The greed and corruption of Arizona's govt is out of control.

[@marcvslicinivscrassvs7536]

Ouch. This is absolutely brutal. One thing America is bad at is taking care of its own citizens' needs vs the needs and desires of foreigners.

[@valerierogers9609]

You can't have drinking water but foreigners can mega irrigate crops to send overseas 😑

[@domusloculi8073]

Thank you so much for seeing our state government for what it is. It's not a democrat or republican problem, it's a we don't care about the people of Arizona problem. Governor Ducey is a shrewd business man with absolutely no interest in serving our needs only his and the entitled. If your not bring millions or billions of dollars into the state then you don't matter.

[@desertBirdDogs]

Thank the developers for going around the county on this. You call it Scottsdale but it's not. Scottsdale has its own residents to think about, Rio Verde isn't part of that.

[@JB-dk3qc]

Haul your own water.

[@yairmiranda992]

I worked there. Fondomonte California, Arizona. They use so much water with no guilt at all. It is insane how much water they use.

[@Mike__B]

Why should they feel guilt? They rent the land and abide by the rules that are there. The problem is the state simply doesn't have any damn rules.

[@rambo3801]

You'd think with being the mecca of big tech they'd figure better ways for water usage in agriculture but they will kick the can until there is a real problem.

[@PowerfulKundalini]

@@rambo3801 hard to believe people that live in the middle of the desert aren’t good at farming crops…. Hmmm lol

[@warofhero]

@@Mike__B State has rules and laws but people were corrupted by money.

[@bookbeing]

@@Mike__B they have lots of rules for the poor working chumps in their districts.

[@mlight6845]

As an Arizonan spending my career in making sure there is high quality, reliable water, this makes my blood boil.

[@nicolatesla5786]

can something be done? this is insane!!!!

[@joefran619]

it should

[@Enlighten1640]

Absolute BS, can't believe this 😡

[@davidschmidt270]

I too live in Arizona....and yeah....this is SICKENING!

[@kitkatkat7894]

California.doing the same.thing Democrats run the corruption on all the nation's life resources they don't. Care about the citizens of this country this has been going.on for years, I don't vote for them .

[@RobToGame]

Sounds like the easy solution is to get rid of the bad rental and get back ALL the water. Someone got a huge kick back!!!

[@Thegreendingler]

@Trace Inate my man

[@ultratusk]

@Trace Inate salt*

[@Lzrdman91]

The greed of this state is going to be our downfall.

[@jacksevert3099]

But Arizona is run by Republicans.. are they the bad guys?

[@Wildlonesome77]

This makes me so damn angry.Were supposed to have politicians that look out for the people of our great state. Yet they allow this type of shoddy,harmful business to happen.Rise up Arizona, let your voices be heard!

[@mikeodonnell9888]

Hmm but most of your politicians are Saudi loving trumptards

[@waleed8530]

@Jason McDaniel We buy both Red and Blue. Biden is coming here as well very soon. Thanks for business.

[@nathankoroush7918]

@Jason McDaniel The problem is both sides, they are all in it for themselves. Once we all figure this out things might change. America first F the rest.

[@sean-or1nc]

@Jason McDaniel i dont understand what you mean ?

[@Hanshuber161]

The globalization the modern advances in technology has ushered in means that things are no longer restricted to geographical limitations. If there is a rich Saudi prince who can afford to pay money and buy stuff in AZ, then it is fair game. If there is a super rich Chinese billionaire who has enough money to buy entire towns in California, then it is fair game too. This is the sad reality and eventuality of the modern world we live in. Wake up!

[@casienwhey]

Alfalfa is a water intensive crop. Why are crops like this even being grown in a desert where water is scarce? You see stories about how the Colorado River is rapidly being depleted and drastic steps may be needed. I'd like to see states like Arizona actually taking such steps now.

[@Chief6945]

It's already too late.

[@corpsman827]

Because of the amount of sunshine it receives each year.

[@jettison8390]

The environment is better.. for instance, less insects to eat the crop. But you have a great point.

[@jenson1569]

I think it seemed like a good idea decades ago since people didn’t understand there’d be massive consequences taking water from rivers, back then the population was a fraction of the size it is today and so was the water use-age. If you think the problem is bad here, look at what happened with the Aral Sea.

[@cheddarcheese]

Do you really want the government telling you what to grow?

[@Iam_msdeeyadig]

Ahh, so now we find out the truth about our water ... Wow 🙄🤷

[@j.d.garcia2757]

There's even a sweeter deal with Coca Cola in Mexico with water privatization. People have died over this deal. Beer companies too.

[@jerryeinstandig7996]

beer is a strategic resource

[@All4Grogg]

At the same time Mexico LOVES Coca Cola, they have the highest per capita consumption in the world by a wide margin.

[@lokeyGee87]

@@All4Grogg I hear Coca Cola is more available than water in some Mexican towns.

[@metalgearsolidsnake6978]

@@All4Grogg it taste good, you have to admit it

[@mar56cos]

Sounds like the people of Arizona need to vote this issue out

[@LowenKM]

"But, but... we have much more _important_ things to worry about (aka, More Guns, Building The Wall, Ebil Kalifornians, Overturning Elections, etc. ...)!"

[@deborahfox4206]

It’s ridiculous to farm in the desert in the first place!

[@jjuanmarin]

not if they get all the water they want for free

[@phoenixchick5088]

So when it's time to renew the lease is their rent doubling like everyone else!?

[@tomaszwida]

doubling wound not be nearly enough they got a land for 1/6 of the market price, so doubling it it would be still a sweet deal for them 1/3 of a market price

[@michaelmichaelagnew8503]

They should be charging them for the water period.

[@mspuddin931]

As rural residential wells around them go dry 🤦‍♀️ Go Arizona!

[@Chris-re3xr]

When will people wake up!

[@jacksevert3099]

Why aren't the Republicans doing anything about it? Unless they want it to happend and want people to suffer? Good luck out there

[@Frank-gt6wp]

Arizona is at fault for having dummies as leaders.

[@kellikelli4413]

Spread the word to get citizens involved to stop these injustices and suicidal sweetheart deals .

[@SuzanneWho]

What about the foreign ownership of land in SE Arizona used for dairy/ cattle? Also depleting the aquifers and ruining local wells.

[@Beastbadd84]

Gotta keep those Suadi cows nice and fed at the expense of the most precious resource in the desert. This crop is the culprit to the destruction of Saudi's aquifers, yet did the Arizona leader's research this? They don't care, they will suck this state dry for Dollar Almighty.

[@user-gn5ne2fm6m]

A good step from Saudi Arabia 👍.. you have a large number of rivers, you do not suffer from a water problem, nothing will happen if Saudi Arabia takes a little of your groundwater..

[@Beastbadd84]

@@user-gn5ne2fm6m Don't suffer from water problems? Says the guy an ocean away. We have major water issues in Pheonix, the ground is cracking and collapsing where ground water aquifers were once. Lake Mead and Powell are both approaching dead pools. Water rationing will be forced upon the people sooner than later. Also this same crop destroyed Sudi's aquifers and now looking to destroy ours. Phoenix is a desert not a lush landscape, we need our water.

[@xxPlaceboxx]

@@user-gn5ne2fm6m You have a large number of poop trucks. Why not invest in basic plumbing?

[@ottallman]

​@@user-gn5ne2fm6m shoot, a little is all we have.

[@angelaonthego]

I don’t think it’s even for the cows-I think it’s for their prize ponies.

[@VIC-ux8hd]

Ground water ? REALLY??? Of all places in Arizona?? How about invest tax payers money for future water resources instead of leasing state own land & water to foreign farmers??

[@krabysniper]

@@natedos6817 after the last election and the evidence of what happened in crapazona, don't try to pin this on conservatives you lefty 🐑💩

[@jaymacpherson8167]

This ground water withdrawal sounds like a “non-exempt” use, which means a water right from the state is required from the Arizona Water Resources Department. AWRD requires an annual report of the quantity withdrawn. Impossible to say without information from AWRD whether this water use is a legal issue. The bottom line tho, given alfalfa is one of the more water-intensive crops, seems irresponsible to allow farming it using an over-drafted aquifer.

[@b34V15heh]

"Laws for thee, But not for me!"

[@mdj864]

The AZ lands which have no restrictions on ground water pumping are being snapped up by investment and private equity firms. The water is dirt cheap, and the growing season extensive, making these investments highly profitable (until they suck the water dry.) Who is allowing this? Both the State and USDA. And yet the residents who depend on this water to survive, are being kept in the dark.

[@alexj.5207]

That problem isn't the legality.

[@xx133]

This is what deregulation gets you. You get what you vote for. You’re lucky the local news even covered this, there’s a lot of pressure behind the scenes for them not to. Don’t be surprised if you never hear this story again.

[@tomaszwida]

true people like to complain about" big government bad" but in all honesty the higher is its harder to do these corrupted deals too many of eyes on them, with local politician these type of corruption is just tuesday. and the data back this up. the lower the position of power the higher the corruption is. for some people they want no government oversight and what this translate in a practical sense they want people to be as corrupted as possible.

[@iclite3656]

Arizona is in a drought.

[@heidi22209]

Lol... funny. Aren't they always? Asking for a friend

[@iclite3656]

Right Heidi Frey, the saudi,s are ALWAYS asking for friends, lol, but, as always, they ask the WRONG Ones.

[@v8stmpr]

It's the desert, SRP reservoirs are at capacity.

[@terrygross7390]

SWEET DEALS FOR OUR ENEMIES . HIGHER COSTS FOR ARIZONANS.WE HAVE SEEN THE ENEMY AND ITS OUR GOVERNMENT.

[@jacksevert3099]

*REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT

[@derrillyager7946]

Do not degrade our constitutional government, we have the best system, it is the people in the system that are effing it up. The supreme Court allowed massive money into government via their citizens united decision, with money comes corruption and bribery by the wealthy who want what they want. We must show them that our government cannot be bought by electing honorable people to represent us.

[@tomaszwida]

@@jacksevert3099 thank you for fixing that

[@Bigbert724]

@@jacksevert3099 Arizona voted blue in 2020 I fixed it

[@hattielankford4775]

@@Bigbert724 Good first step.

[@susanmazei1834]

It's literally insane to grow alfalfa in a desert state especially for export.

[@TheBandit7613]

Cotton and rice are also being grown. Arizona is quickly drying up. You ain't seen nuthin yet...

[@billrosenstein]

Don't you just love globalism

[@tomaszwida]

not insane if u get to rent a land for 1/6 of a market price and the water is virtually free. screw the community that live in there that the american way! on a serious note I read reports few years ago that in that area community wells "somehow" dried out...

[@mountainloversoff-grid155]

No large scale farming should be allowed in the desert.

[@andyjohnson3790]

I heard about this about 5 years ago but very few actually cared because the drought had not reached 'critical levels' and people were mentioning the need for more business and money. Crazy how people only care about the environment when it's in immediate danger of affecting themselves at the moment

[@drakemia4079]

I agree like most things they better get over to renewables faster than ever or there money won’t matter

[@CHMichael]

Back then the neighbors warned of their wells running dry. But this shows the general problem of farmers growing the worst crops.

[@drakemia4079]

@@CHMichael desalination using the sun .make salt battery’s

[@shellydurunna]

Yes

[@kennyw871]

As important as this news reporting is, it raises a very critical question: can we really allow the use of finite water resources to sustain cattle ranches and dairy farms just because Saudia Arabia can afford to drill large wells into aquifers? When the water runs out, they can afford to go somewhere else, but what are residents going to do, go somewhere else too? Not if you can't sell your home because of the water crisis. This should be considered a national crisis and demands immediate attention from our federal government at the highest level. If Saudia Arabia wants choice cuts of beef, let them raise the cattle in their own country and get the hell out of America.

[@3BRH]

Why you’re mad ? The Saudis did it by the laws not breaking it maybe you guys need to change it .

[@domusloculi8073]

Government intervention is not needed. There the reason we're in this mess. Ducey allowed this to happen and we the voters messed up when we voted to sell our state trust land years back to fund failing schools and there still failing. Now that state trust land is being developed with more large living structures. They (the government) are promoting population growth in a desert.

[@ottallman]

​@@3BRH not fair game when republicans are in Saudi pockets.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

@@3BRH nobody is saying it's illegal. And the US has had plenty of unethical, terrible laws throughout its history. Along with people fighting to change them. It always happens too late though

[@veganpotterthevegan]

@@domusloculi8073 the federal government promotes population growth by continuing the child tax credit. In reality, you should be taxed for having children

[@JPBoston]

Has Ducey ever been forced to comment on this?

[@bobralph5072]

I'm in TN. This news should be alarming to all Americans, that our governments can pull off such a scam. If they want to raise crops on public land. The state should do it itself and keep the product at home. I'm sure there is a huge market for alfalfa hay in the American southwest. And the water implications are enormous. That whole deal is unbelievable.

[@kedeglow2743]

My first thought on this was "Why would you grow a crop that needs constant large quantities of water in a desert?" Second thought, "Where's this alfalfa going?". I live in central Missouri. There is some Alfalfa grown around here, but not a lot compared to Timthy and Fescue, which is big because Fescue especially doesn't take a lot of water to grow. Likewise it doesn't have much nutritional value, which is why people buy so much feed. Our rains are inconsistant, and in the past 15 years it seems like we have more drought. Apparently the Saudis want the best for their animals. I'm guessing that somebody's getting full pockets in Arizona's state capitol.

[@cbunix23]

The alfalfa is used as horse feed.

[@nonimportant3505]

A Saudi prince rents that property and alfalfa grown and shipped to Europe in shipping containers.

[@TJB-zt9tx]

No doubt some politician's campaign needed it's skids greased. Previous post; "Make them pay for water with oil." Absolutely!

[@spiveydurango8391]

Gallon of water for a gallon of crude

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

@@spiveydurango8391 a barrel of crude.

[@spiveydurango8391]

@@arthurbrumagem3844 yeah I know what it is.

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

@@spiveydurango8391 I was just upping the price 😂

[@spiveydurango8391]

@@arthurbrumagem3844 got it

[@arizonaadventureriders9384]

People have been talking about the fields for years, now the public pressure is mounting

[@arizonaadventureriders9384]

@@blondeunicorn3025 I love pistachios, and if sold local that’s a good use of local resources

[@danmyshrall]

The question is: Which politicians lined their pockets & how much $$$ did it take?

[@jacksevert3099]

Republicans

[@michaelcre8]

We don't know how much they got bribed but the state land commissioner is corrupt and so are all the politicians who are responsible for keeping him honest.

[@merrydaye4763]

So done with AZ allowing water guzzling businesses while we are in a drought. GOP deep thought at it's finest.

[@saythankyou111]

Water is more valuable then gold….see ya Saudi 👀🇺🇸

[@tylermallory2504]

Really? Where do you buy your water? Because I'm pretty sure a shot glass full of H2O ain't worth a thousand bucks or more...

[@itsmoshalawi]

And oil is more valuable than life, grow up it's your capitalism at its finest.

[@jacksevert3099]

Why are Republicans letting this happen? Are they the bad guys?

[@gotwalk]

Great investigative journalism!!!

[@zzkeithzz2]

This is a major issue! not just for Phoenix I live in Cochise county and our well has gone dry for the 3rd time. We have a very similar issue with a company called Riverview. We have spent $26,000 on our well in the past 3 years and my home now has no water.. again. I'm real person who is really struggling just trying to have water for my family. I feel so frustrated when I see our government making these "sweet water deals" with foreign company's that are making millions while they suck the aquifer dry and me on the other hand born and raised in Arizona and a father of 2 working fulltime paying my taxes and trying to provide for my family, cant have water at my kitchen sink, or take a shower or a crap. How can this be right?

[@tomaszwida]

well u need to stop voting against your own interest, democracy is still strong in this country if u ignore ur civic duty and only 30% of population vote for your state electros this is what u get. research the candidate not make decision based who u saw the most in commercials, look them up their history their voting records the controversy, don't buy into this social crap hysteria economic policy should be focus with the focus on people who live in the area as a main priority, (NY state has different priorities then AZ has that should be the focus) and then make a decision. ur governor is Ducey he is ben in office for 10 years, what did he do in that tenure..

[@mcelroychandler6267]

Vote for the AMA , you might get some protections that way

[@tomcooley3778]

Not to mention that we are being raped at the fuel pumps .

[@angelaonthego]

This is real reporting. THANK YOU

[@kaydailey5816]

We the people need to kick out these tenants...if we are the landlord.. we should put a petition together to put an end to this!!

[@counterculturevulture1917]

I'm down. How do we do that?

[@TimeTheory2099]

The Arab's obviously have a contract with state politicians. Find a way to brake the contract due to corruption charges.

[@Favorite-catNip]

Unbelievable. Especially now with water crisis looming.

[@lovemoviesful2]

LMAO, nothing will happen, you guys are all talked and Saudi have the overwhelming pocketing the people who are in charge. So nothing will happen.

[@darrell_dee97]

Before you kick the tenants out the first thing you should be doing...or should I say stop doing is voting against your best interest.

[@sheikhboyardee556]

This has been common knowledge for some years. The Saudi's use our precious water on our land to grow alfalfa, then ship it to Saudi Arabia. We are getting screwed right and left. Phoenix is a desert town in the middle of a water-less desert, & yet building is continuing. Who's getting the payoffs at our expense?

[@user-gn5ne2fm6m]

😂

[@user-gn5ne2fm6m]

A good step from Saudi Arabia 👍.. you have a large number of rivers, you do not suffer from a water problem, nothing will happen if Saudi Arabia takes a little of your groundwater..

[@magicalhealerclairvoyant521]

@@user-gn5ne2fm6m troll

[@sheikhboyardee556]

@@user-gn5ne2fm6m That was in the past. We no longer have excess water to give anyone. A great shortage. Saudi Arabia can find areas of the world where there is still a lot of water. That is not the desert of Arizona.

[@v8stmpr]

All the while, AZ is on top of one of the largest aquifers in USA...

[@Herrera419]

Why give them a sweet deal they don’t give us deals on oil.. !!

[@Deezbustednutz]

Do a story on the Chinese govt land in Texas next. And nestle taking all the water from Floridians after that. Then the oil company’s claiming imminent domain on private land with the help of the state they’re in. Lots of cooperate greed goin on but we’re dumb enough to forget about it tomorrow, so no worries.

[@donaldatkinson7937]

Nestles, doing the same thing in SC now also. This won't stop, until people quit with their silly desire for bottled water!

[@dawnwokson8202]

@@donaldatkinson7937 It's also happening in California

[@willsweat1242]

Nestle is in MI as well.

[@ellenlandowski1659]

So...is that money laundering??? Why AZ that doesn't have water...why not MS AL or Louisianna that has lots of rain??

[@alphaomega5909]

Seems your state, Arizona foolishly signed the contracts with Saudi Arabia. Perhaps MS,AL,etc had smarter ,more attention to detail in signing contracts selling their natural resources? I live in Michigan, home of the Great Lakes. We n the other states with Great Lakes borders are UP on this sh@#. We aren't letting other nations Cheaply n w/few regulations/reporting run off with our Water. That includes other states like AZ who've mismanaged their water resources going back DECADES N DECADES. Might want to elect better ,smarter folks?

[@heidi22209]

Blame the weather... move into a desert and get thirsty

[@JohnDoe-tx8eu]

@@alphaomega5909 midwest is already sold out to local mega farms. Instead of draining the aquifer they're poisoning it with industrial animal farms.

[@alphaomega5909]

@@JohnDoe-tx8eu I'm well aware of our farming issues here in Michigan, lol. My large exended family ARE farmers, orchard owners. All over Antrim, Traverse county. Since early 1920s . But we are ON IT. It's not anything like AZ ,the West is suffering. Politically, weather wise n business wise. FYI, my own beloved wife of 63 yrs last month was the National Cherry Festival Queen ,early 1950s. (Traverse City.) I ACTUALLY married a Beauty Queen. 🥰

[@richardmyers7847]

@@alphaomega5909 Detroit Michigan has a problem by poisoning the water supply in the black community

[@harleyv1969]

When AZ makes them stop then I will take water regs seriously

[@jacksevert3099]

AZ is run by Republicans.. your whole state is dying a slow death. Good luck out there

[@tomaszwida]

first u have to stop voting against your own interests

[@metalgearsolidsnake6978]

@@tomaszwida meaning? who do you vote for?

[@usamommy4446]

Should charge foreigners more than double!! Then turn around and lower the price for US citizen farmers

[@czrs85]

Great report. I was unaware. Time to vote folks out.

[@kellypbr7742]

It time to give politician in this country an attitude adjustment.

[@-.-l]

u mean john cena finishing move?

[@novak.olen66]

Don't give up on this story 12News ... you do ... we'll know why

[@adamtrombino106]

How long is the lease for? I think AZ should put regulations/restrictions on ground water well consumption when it's obviously used for industry or agriculture, hotels and resorts etc. Just not for private homes.

[@mazlosoutdooradventures8594]

Remember when there's no water for Phoenix that Saudi Arabian farming companies get water first The big drought is the intelligence level of management

[@MCsRC777]

I guarantee your land commissioner and your governor struck that deal up with them Saudi Arabian guys and they probably pocketed a bunch of cash under the table tried doing some hardcore research like looking at the two " PUBLIC SERVANTS" bank accounts at the time that deal was made , and family members I'll bet you you'll see a sudden rise in there income.

[@Thomas63r2]

Greed will make people on the receiving end quiet. Sweetheart land lease deals, and the ability to pump an unlimited amount of water = someone got paid. Finding the money trail proof is tough. The silence of state leaders tells everyone that they were hoping no one would notice.

[@victorydiaz11]

Yeah. How funny 😆 quite

[@Thomas63r2]

@Jason McDaniel Oh yeah, I forgot that only Democrats are saints sacrificing themselves for the greater good...not! There is plenty of payola on both sides of the political aisle. No matter how poor they were when entering the political arena - they all end up multi-millionaires after they have been in office for years. One of the things about American style politics that is surprising to people in other countries is just how open the U.S. is with lobbyists literally buying favors. How do you suppose politicians always seem to make such wise investments? - could it be they are carefully using inside information?

[@mikeellis7286]

I remember someone saying we can't do that because we make money with them. That was just over a murder, not water.

[@WRMRanch]

Who was in office when they handed out those cheap leases - c'mon some real investigation please!

[@jasonsabourin2275]

Do the Saudi's give us Sweetheart Deals on OIL......NO!

[@saudkhalafful]

Definitely since 1930 American oil companies sucking oils at 25c a barrel from Saudi Arabia,, Duh

[@branflakee4257]

They did for WWI and WWII so it's good now, we can turn a blind eye on killing reporters, terrorists for 9/11, gas prices lol

[@jacksevert3099]

Why would the Republicans do this? Unless they're the bad guys?

[@notafed6524]

I want to evict the tenant if I’m the landlord

[@JulesAZ1119]

Meanwhile local farmers have had their water usage REDUCED affecting our local hay prices

[@Lily1975]

I knew Ducey was no good… thank you 🙏🏼

[@ghostdawg4690]

@@libturdcrusher1776 a rino? Republican in name only. So in what other name is there?

[@TheDudeInTheWild007]

I’ve never liked Doug Douchy

[@SG-js2qn]

He's a RINO. He ascended to the governor's seat only after getting in bed with China. Utah has a similar problem, as does GA, and to some degree TX. The Bush era (both Bushes) was one where the RINOs took over the party, and that's why people can't tell the difference between Democrats and Republicans. For instance, Bush 1 wanted to do NAFTA and other deals that destroyed American jobs. Clinton went ahead with these deals, as if the two parties were the same. It was Perot, the alternative Republican candidate, who was not a RINO, who wanted to preserve American jobs.

[@mrlaw711]

Never trust a man with that much hair dye unless they are a movie actor, and actually need it. Ducey is as bad as DeSantis, Abbott, and others - difference is he's not as quick on his feet, and far less intelligent.

[@anomilumiimulimona2924]

@@SG-js2qn Perot started the reform party

[@utube4greenfuture]

So...Who's getting the kickbacks? Somebody is getting something! Unlimited water and 1/6 cost to lease. Who voted to approve this? Failed to mention that the alfalfa is shipped to Saudi for their horses.

[@jacksevert3099]

Arizona is run by Republicans. Pretty obvious who got the bag

[@michaelcre8]

the state land commissioner

[@JuanMoreno-oc5bx]

So this is part of the water problem we’re having in the western states

[@rhondaarnesen6684]

Nothing boggles my mind more than forcing a desert, water struggling land area, to grow crops. 😕 They could have rented land in Southern GA, in the Bread Basket, or some other location thats Not prone to droughts 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ Makes no sense other than corruption in the gooberment....

[@beverlydiltz2604]

When did these leases come about. And who allowed this to happen. Do we have deals on land in Arabia? So the state allowed this. Our government needs to check more states and government laws.

[@jjjj1670]

Put a water meter up for that company.

[@louisevad6091]

Follow the money and you will have all your answers. What happens to the alfalfa that is grown? Do all the other farmers get the same deal?

[@TimeTheory2099]

Look for the money trail. Some politicians are getting sweetheart deal's of their own.

[@dustynova171]

The North Saskatchewan River is more valuable as a water export then the oil sands.

[@danthomas6587]

Outrageous. They killed a journalist. Get them out of Arizona

[@SA-is3rs]

You don’t wanna mess with us bro im telling u 🇸🇦

[@saudalawini9651]

What about israel killed American Palestinian Christian journalist killed by israel

[@danthomas6587]

@@saudalawini9651 Isreal is the second biggest terrorist state in the world, only the USA is worse.

[@user-gn5ne2fm6m]

Stop crying, you killed a million Iraqis..

[@itsmoshalawi]

Dude... they killed one, the US army killed 15 in Iraq alone. Yeah that country the US unjustifiably invaded over imaginary WMD's. US's other ally Israel killed at least 45 since 2000!!! With American taxpayers money, you blind to those over one? Not justifying just wondering if all cases are equal in your POV or if its more like "it depends on who/where it happens"

[@diankreczmer6595]

Great reporting! Definitely an issue to be looked at as the governors campaign

[@user-es3zh3jk5o]

This is rediculous. Citizens of Arizona should let it be known, this is not ok. Politicians are all about themselves, money and power. Follow the money.

[@tomaszwida]

well u did put them there, so u can take them out.

[@michaellalanae7228]

Free free free .unless your an American .

[@bettiraige3474]

Let me guess which senator made money on this deal

[@jeffreyyoung4104]

And presidents...

[@jacksevert3099]

Arizona is run by Republicans

[@miketech79]

Easily prevented by having part of the contract that any wells must be installed by the state and must be metered as a public utility from the state. Pretty simple! Big screw up on AZ! I don't even live in AZ and this makes me mad. I cannot imagine the folks living there.

[@kristiblack1428]

Knowing Arizonian's all to well, they're singularly focused on blaming Californian's for EVERYTHING wrong with that extremely FU state and home of the Keating 5 Scandal!

[@dougmoore7855]

Alfalfa takes 7 ft of H2O to grow but rice only takes 5 which is considered a water intensive crop. Who was bribed?

[@CallingAllMadMen]

What a shame. Reap what you sow.

[@heidi22209]

Holy crap! Why is a Saudi outpost in control of American water. I had no idea. Wtf.... I have to watch this again. Wtf!!! And whaaaA! Then feed the cows the food source from OUR Land. There is so much going on. I'm way north. Arizona....how did this get passed. Very good reporting. Seems like no one gaf? Until now?

[@upcloseimage]

Wow. Thank you for shedding light on this.

[@vanessajazp6341]

This is absolutely outrageous! Who the F* approved this insanity?!

[@jeremywhiteley3021]

This is so screwed up.

[@salvadorgarcia4327]

This same foreign Ag. Company for several years now has bought or leased farmland in the Palo Verde Valley, CA., about 35 miles west of Vicksburg. That Co.grows as much alfalfa as they can and need, 'while local longtime farmers standby and asked or forced to fallow prime farmland in order to sell off their Colorado River Water Allotmenrs......what the hell is going on here?

[@nunzioification]

Government been selling us out for a while now, no accountability

[@steven.h0629]

Look at the Valley's local government.. that says it all.

[@rjdverbeek]

Are there similar deals with other companies, domestic or international?

[@racinford1]

The Aquifer will collapse, ground will drop and NEVER refill . The same has happened in central California. We just dont learn.

[@zippydo2678]

We can guess how this sweet deal happened. Cash in the palms of those involved.

[@johnaltobello5095]

As usual the citizens get screwed.

[@charlesurrea1451]

Same thing happening in Cochise County. Mooo They have a 5 mile Square chunk that looks to support the Vicksburg Dairy. Relatively nothing in relation to already existing Ag operations. Though I must agree that cattle and open growing practices are HUGE users of water. Certainly there should been more oversight during the striking of this deal too.

[@joefran619]

What a great country we live in, for the rest of the World!

[@jacksevert3099]

Why are the Republicans doing this? Unless they're the bad guys?

[@joefran619]

@@jacksevert3099 backdoor deal , $$$$$$

[@michaeltichonuk2176]

China had sweet deals in Az too.

[@nereyes15]

Lisa Atkins ,& Doug Ducey!!!!! Arizona demands Answers!!!!!!

[@RKZX2]

i've also have been following the water situation in Lake Mead for a while. very alarming how fast the water level is dropping. the SW is not in good shape. we live in a 3rd world country carrying a Gucci bag.

[@Dang3rMouSe]

This should be easy to solve as it's simply ensuring water metering on rented state land. It is not an isolated incident either. There are an insane amount of foreign countries including China that either own or rent US land in bizarre sweetheart deals.

[@tomcooley3778]

Somebody check with the local feed store and ask how much a bale of hay will cost you?

[@Somewhere-In-AZ]

All of this goes to Saudi Arabia. None stays here.

[@tomcooley3778]

@@Somewhere-In-AZ I know .I was just saying. A bale of grass hay was 22 bucks at the feed store in Cave Creek just the other day.

[@Kpots21]

Paid off

[@enriquejaquez6993]

Ridiculous, how is this possible with the water crisis we have..

[@rnp1785]

Now if everyone in Arizona was getting a $1000 monthly check than the people probably wouldn’t care if the Saudi’s were there or not.

[@floridaviolets9601]

Sounds like a rich republican politician just got richer.

[@anomilumiimulimona2924]

A rich democrat masquerading as a republican just got richer.

[@DesertRock1862]

Doesn't matter what party there in, we need to get those responsible out. This is something that we can all agree with, the Saudi's have got to pay up or pack up.

[@northbynorthwest5184]

@@anomilumiimulimona2924 I bet you believe it’s was really antifa at the capital on Jan 6th.

[@waltervineyard5715]

Alfalfa uses massive amounts of water.

[@tylermallory2504]

No it doesn't, I grow alfalfa in colorado on just a few inches of rain a year... your farms in california are the largest water consumers, like almonds... Those farms should absolutely be banned, but he water usage is absolutely insane for almonds.

[@xxPlaceboxx]

@@tylermallory2504 Those almonds are sold for US markets. And California's agriculture has been established for much longer. This notion that CA has to seize operation for the growth of towns that have been established later is nonsense. When AZ themselves don't invest in better water recycling efforts.

[@acf2802]

Someone in the Arizona government is getting a sweetheart deal.

[@Wyomingfarmer]

That land rent is ridiculous, should definitely be up close to $200 an acre. Now regardless of who is renting it, those reservoirs were primarily built for irrigation, the city should've also regulated water better for itself, the farmland has older water rights most likely.

[@katmile5467]

Follow the money!