Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why do I have to register my well?
In 2007, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) issued a report designating the North Texas area sa Priority Groundwater Management Area and recommended that at least one groundwater conservation district be formed. This resulted in water providers contesting the report, with no change in the outcome. In 2009 during the 81st Legislature, the North Texas Groundwater Conservation District was created under SB2497. The District has regulatory powers for groundwater in Collin, Cooke, and Denton Counties. The District created rules and approved them in October 2010, which require all new wells drilled after April 1, 2011 to be registered and all non-exempt wells to be registered and metered before July 1, 2011. If you have not registered your non-exempt well, please do so immediately.
When can I begin registering my wells? Is there a deadline on when they have to be registered?
You can begin registering wells any time after April 1, 2011. All existing non-exempt wells must be registered and metered with the District by June 30, 2011. If you have not registered your non-exempt well, please do so immediately.
What is a meter and what wells are required to install a meter?
All non-exempt wells must install meters to record pumpage information. A meter is defined in the Temporary Rules under Section 1.1 (21) as "a water flow measuring device that can measure within +/- 5% of accuracy the instantaneous rate of flow and record the amount of groundwater produced or transported from a well or well system during a measure of time." Section 8.1 of the Temporary Rules defines what types of meters are authorized.
What is a non-exempt well? What is an exempt well?
A non-exempt well is any well that is used for any purpose other than solely for domestic, livestock or poultry and that is capable of producing more than 25 gallons per minute (36,000 gallons per day).
An exempt well is any well used for any purpose othe rthan solely for domestic, livestock or poultry and that is not capable of producing 25 gallons per minute (36,000 gallons per day).
What fees are associated with registering my well?
At this time there are no fees associated with registering wells.
Where can I find information on my well?
Information on your well can be obtained from a variety of sources. A well report from the well driller should have been provided to you with your mortgage documentation. If you did not receive this information, you can contact the well driller and request a copy of the well report, if the well driller is known. If this information is not available, you can contact the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration (http://www.license.state.tx.us/), the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (http://www.tceq.texas.gov/), or the Texas Water Development Board (http://www.twdb.state.tx.us) for more information.
Do I have to pay for the groundwater I use?
Non-exempt wells are required to have meters installed and to report groundwater pumped each month. Non-exempt wells will also be required to pay for groundwater produced at a rate of $0.10 per 1,000 gallons or $1 per acre-foot (325,851 gallons) for agricultural wells. Exempt wells will not be required to install meters or pay for groundwater used.
