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More Information
Map: Are you in the new groundwater management zone? (address search)
Bill Info: HB 3404 bill language, implementation timeline, FAQ
Trinity Groundwater Research: Summary of aquifer evaluations in the area
Well Registration: All non-Edwards wells in the area need to register
Well Permits: Wells used for other than domestic or livestock need to seek permits
Resources: Download digital versions of info session handouts
Videos: View presentations from the Town Hall meeting
Overview
FIND OUT MORE INFO at one of these events:
- Wednesday, 8/12, 4-6pm: Info Session at Milagro’ Mexican Restaurant, Wimberley from 4-6pm
- Monday, 8/17: Town Hall at Wimberley Community Center from 6-8pm
- Wednesday, 8/19: Info Session at First Christian Church, San Marcos from 11am-1pm
June 19, 2015 marked the effective date of HB3405, which brings the previously unregulated aquifers in Hays County under management of a groundwater conservation district–the preferred method of groundwater management in Texas. The Hays County Trinity Aquifer annexation is now official.
Now that HB3405 has become law, the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (District) is tasked with managing all non-Edwards groundwater withdrawals (primarily Trinity Aquifer wells) in central, southern, and eastern Hays County. The Edwards Aquifer Authority shares jurisdiction in the same area, however, their authority is limited by statute only to Edwards Aquifer wells and requests for drill-through permits for wells that penetrate the overlying Edwards Aquifer.
Several town hall meetings and neighborhood question and answer sessions are planned to inform residents about the new bill, policy changes, and resources and requirements for well owners in the annexed area. The District is collaborating with Hays County Commissioner Will Conley and Representative Jason Isaac to host the Town Hall meeting. The goal will be to have the meeting video taped and digitally archived online for those residents that cannot attend. Details will be announced as they are finalized.
Map
Are you in the new Hays County groundwater management zone (shown in green)? Type in an address in the search bar or use the zoom features to navigate within the interactive map. Click on View Larger Map to expand the map in a new window.
Download the updated District boundary as a Google Earth kmz file.
Bill Info
HB 3405 was filed by Representative Jason Isaac. Senator Donna Campbell carried the companion bill. HB 3405 is an act relating to the territory, jursidiction, and powers of the Barton Springs-Edwards Aqufer Conservation District, including its authority to regulate certain wells for the production of groundwater. HB3405 became law on June 19, 2015. The District updated its Rules and Bylaws to address the new requirements on July 16, 2015.
- HB 3405 Bill Language
- HB 3405 Bill Language Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- HB 3405 Implementation Timeline (including Temporary Permit Grace Period and redistricting)
- Overview of Rule Change Concepts
- Adopted Rules and Bylaws (July 16, 2015)
Trinity Groundwater Research
| Generalized Aquifer Stratigraphy |
Monitoring Effort Status Map |
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Presentation to Hays County Commissioners: Status of Central Hays County Groundwater Evaluation (Apr 7, 2015, pdf)
BSEACD Update on Electro Purification Project, Issac Town Hall (Feb 10, 2015, pdf)
BSEACD Presentation on Electro Purification Project, Board Meeting (Jan 29, 2015, pdf)
Conceptual Cross-Section of Initial 3Test Wells of Interest (pdf)
Trinity Modeled Available Groundwater Volumes and Electro Purification Production Volumes (pdf)
Archived Trinity Well Drilling Spotlight with maps, etc.
Well Registration
Low-production (less than 17 gpm) domestic and livestock wells do not need a permit, they only need to be registered with the District. The well registration provides contact information and basic well details, so the District can better understand groundwater use in the area when permitting larger users. Permitted wells cannot cause unreasonable drawdown in neighboring wells and must not jeopordize the overall sustainability of the aquifer. An aquifer test is part of the permitting process for permits requesting volumes over 2 million gallons a year. The number of nearby registered wells will be factored into the aquifer test.
Benefits of a Registered Well (Online Registration Page)
- No fee, no meter — Existing nonexempt domestic and livestock wells in good working condition do not have any other requirements beyond well registration.
- Protect your well — Registered well owners within 1/2 a mile of a proposed nonexempt well will be notified and may be monitored for unreasonable interference during aquifer tests.
- Receive notices — Registered well owners will be notified in the event of a spill, water quality issue, or water level decline due to drought or an adjacent pumping center.
- Participate in District programs — The District hosts an annual water well checkup, scholarship contests, and various educational events.
Helpful info to have on-hand (if available) before beginning registration:
- Well drilling details (year drilled, depth, driller)
- Pump info (horsepower of pump, pump depth)
- Coordinates (lat/long) of well
- Well report or drillers records have a lot of this info (scan and email to info@bseacd.org)
The general TCEQ Water Well Reports site:
www.tceq.texas.gov/gis/waterwellview.html
Well Permits
Existing Wells (Temporary Permit Grace Period)
If a well does not meet the exempt status criteria then it is considered a nonexempt well for which a permit is required to authorize groundwater withdrawals from the aquifers managed by the District. HB 3405 is now effective and provides existing well owners an opportunity to receive a Temporary Permit that provides well owners an interim authorization to drill or operate during the timeframe in which a Regular Permit is being processed for the well owner. Well owners with existing nonexempt wells have until September 19, 2015 to submit an application for a Temporary Permit and begin the process for a Regular Permit.
Visit bseacd.org/TempPermit for details.
Resources
- Hays County Trinity Aquifer Annexation Fact Sheet
- Stratigraphic Column and District Quick Facts
- Water Level Maps of Edwards and Middle Trinity Aquifers Fact Sheet