Well FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I have to register my well?
A: Yes. State law requires all wells within the EAA’s jurisdictional area that produce water from the Edwards Aquifer to be registered with the EAA.
Q: If the previous owner of the property already registered a well, do I need to do it again?
A: We ask owners of previously registered wells to notify us of ownership changes. These changes can be made at no cost by submitting a well ownership update form (PDF). During an inspection, we will make a general assessment of the condition of the well, take pictures and record its precise location.
Q: How do I know if I have an Edwards Aquifer well?
A: By assessing the physical location and depth of your well, EAA staff can usually determine if it is an Edwards Aquifer well. You may contact our office directly or complete a well registration form (PDF) online. The information you provide will help us evaluate whether your well draws water from the Edwards Aquifer.
Q: If my well is not an Edwards Aquifer well, do I still have to register it with the EAA?
A: No, not with the EAA. Since the EAA only manages the Edwards Aquifer, we are only responsible for wells that withdraw water from the Edwards Aquifer. However, wells drilled through the Edwards Aquifer into other aquifers may be require inspection if there is a water quality concern associated with an abandoned, deteriorated or poorly constructed well that transects the Edwards Aquifer.
Q: My well is only for household and/or livestock use. Do I still have to register it?
A: Yes. All wells located within the EAA’s jurisdictional area must be registered and inspected regardless of purpose of use.
Q: I don’t know the age or the depth of my well. What should I write on the well registration form?
A: Please give us as much information as possible. Leave blank any information you do not know and we will follow up with you to complete the information.
Q: I don’t know the address of my well(s). What should I write on the well registration form?
A: Simply include any relevant descriptive information about the location such as physical landmarks that will help us locate and identify the well. For example: “It is located by a windmill at the northwest corner of the intersection of FM 1217 and Hwy. 21.”
Q: I already registered my well with the EAA. Does it need to be inspected?
A: Periodic inspections are recommended as a means of preventive maintenance. Also, confirming water use, general well specifications, and overall condition of the well are necessary to ensure compliance with applicable laws and can happen only with an inspection.
Q: What does the EAA do during a well inspection?
A: During an inspection, we will make a general assessment of the condition of the well, take pictures and record its precise location.
Q: How often will the EAA inspect my well?
A: Most wells will be inspected approximately every 10 years unless something has occurred that may trigger the need for a more frequent inspection such as development nearby or an aquifer contamination event.
Q: Is the inspection mandatory?
A: Yes. The inspection is necessary as part of the well protection program. EAA staff will make every effort to schedule the inspection at your convenience with minimal intrusion into your property.