Which groundwater conservation district am I in?
In Texas, your local groundwater conservation district is who you register or permit your well with. Here is the district for each Hill Country county we serve.
A groundwater conservation district (GCD) is the local authority that registers and permits water wells, sets the rules on well spacing and how much water can be pumped, and works to protect the aquifer for the long term. The Texas Legislature calls them the state's preferred method of groundwater management. In plain terms: if you drill a well, the district covering your property is usually who you register or permit it with, and in most districts that has to happen before you drill.
The good news is that most household wells are exempt, which means they need registration but not a full operating permit. We explain that line in detail on our permit or registration guide. And in every county we serve, we handle the district paperwork for you.
Find your district by county
Here is the groundwater district for each county across our Hill Country service area. The names in blue link to a detailed guide for that district; the rest link to the district's official site.
| County | Groundwater conservation district |
|---|---|
| Kendall | Cow Creek GCD |
| Kerr | Headwaters GCD |
| Comal | Comal Trinity GCD (plus the Edwards Aquifer Authority for Edwards wells) |
| Hays (western) | Hays Trinity GCD |
| Blanco | Blanco-Pedernales GCD |
| Gillespie | Hill Country UWCD |
| Bandera | Bandera County River Authority & GD |
| Burnet | Central Texas GCD |
| Medina | Medina County GCD |
| Real & Edwards | Real-Edwards Conservation & Reclamation District |
| Uvalde | Uvalde County UWCD |
| Mason | Hickory UWCD No. 1 |
| Kimble | Kimble County GCD |
| San Saba (part) | Hickory UWCD No. 1 (eastern county has no district) |
| Llano | No groundwater conservation district (no local well permit required) |
| Bexar (north) | Trinity Glen Rose GCD, plus the Edwards Aquifer Authority |
| Travis (western) | Southwestern Travis County GCD |
Not sure which one is yours, or sitting near a county line? Tell us where your property is and we will tell you exactly which district applies and what it requires.
Frequently asked questions
What is a groundwater conservation district?
A groundwater conservation district, or GCD, is the local government authority that registers and permits water wells, sets rules on well spacing and how much water can be pumped, and works to protect the aquifer. The Texas Legislature calls districts the state's preferred method of groundwater management. If you drill a well, the district covering your property is who you register or permit it with, usually before drilling.
Do I have to register my water well?
In almost every district, yes. Even an exempt household well that does not need a full operating permit still has to be registered with the district, usually before drilling begins, and your licensed driller files a State of Texas well report after completion. We handle the registration as part of every job.
What if my county is not in a groundwater conservation district?
A few counties we serve, including Llano, are not within any groundwater conservation district, so there is no local groundwater permit to file. You still use a licensed driller, who files the required State of Texas well report. We can tell you exactly what applies to your property.
Do you handle the district paperwork for me?
Yes. In every county we serve, we register your well with the local district and file the required reports as part of the project, so you do not have to navigate the rules yourself.
Drilling a well in the Hill Country?
Whichever district you are in, we handle the registration and permitting as part of the job. Reach out for a free quote.