An Arizona judge has ruled a coalition of farms and municipalities can’t jump into a lawsuit the state has brought against Saudi Arabian-backed farming company Fondomonte. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is suing Fondomonte in Maricopa County Superior Court on claims its groundwater pumping is a “public nuisance.” … In his ruling, Judge John Blanchard acknowledged this is seen as a “test case” for enforcing groundwater regulation, but said “generalized concern” about potential future lawsuits isn’t a good enough reason to let the other groups intervene.

Other groundwater news:

• Los Angeles Times: Home values falling as land sinks in California’s Central Valley
• Action News Now (Chico, Calif.): California Water Commission to hear both State and local perspectives on water storage investment program, other topics
• Daily Republic (Fairfield, Calif.): Groundwater trading on Water Commission agenda
• California Water Boards: News release: Extension of Tule Subbasin groundwater extraction reporting period and reporting deadline under SGMA