Water well permits in the Headwaters Groundwater Conservation District
Drilling a well in Kerr County or around Kerrville? Here is how the Headwaters district handles registration, and how we take care of it.
Groundwater in Kerr County, including Kerrville, is managed by the Headwaters Groundwater Conservation District (HGCD). They are the local authority that registers wells and sets the rules on spacing and production across the county.
A new well must be registered with the district before it is drilled. For an ordinary household well that is a registration, not a full permit, and we file it for you so the rig can get to work without a hitch.
What you need to know
- Register before drilling. A new well must be registered with the Headwaters district before the well is drilled.
- Household wells are exempt from permitting. A domestic or livestock well that cannot produce more than 25,000 gallons a day is exempt from an operating permit, but it still must be registered, and exempt wells are not metered.
- Spacing setbacks apply. New wells generally must sit at least 75 feet from property lines, and at least 150 feet from a public water system well.
- Your driller files the state report. As your licensed driller, we file the required State of Texas well report after the well is completed.
- A registration fee applies. The district charges a registration fee set by its board. The amount is not posted online, so we confirm the current fee with the district as part of your project.
See all Hill Country districts · Permit or just registration? · Wells in Kerrville
Fast facts
- District: Headwaters GCD
- Covers: Kerr County
- New well: Register before drilling
- Exempt well: Under 25,000 gal/day, no meter
District office: (830) 896-4110
We handle the paperworkCall (830) 816-3232We file your district paperwork for you
Registering a well with the Headwaters Groundwater Conservation District before drilling is part of how we do every job in Kerr County. You drill once and you drill it right, on the record, the way the rules require.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to register my well in Kerr County?
Yes. The Headwaters Groundwater Conservation District requires new wells to be registered before drilling. A normal household well is exempt from an operating permit but still must be registered. We handle the registration for you.
How far does my well have to be from the property line?
In the Headwaters district a new well generally must be at least 75 feet from property lines, and at least 150 feet from a public water system well. We site your well to meet those setbacks.
Does an exempt household well need a meter?
No. Exempt domestic and livestock wells in the Headwaters district are not required to be metered. Metering applies to non-exempt, higher-capacity wells.
How much does registration cost in the Headwaters district?
The district sets its registration fee by board action and does not publish the amount online. We confirm the current fee with the district when we register your well, so there are no surprises.
Drilling a well in Kerr County?
We know the HGCD rules and we handle the registration. Reach out for a free, no-pressure quote.