Frequently Asked Questions

1) Do I need a permit to drill a well on my property?

Yes. Any well to be drilled in Presidio County requires a drilling permit from the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District.
The application can be found here. There is also a $100 fee for each application. Wells are subject to certain spacing and other requirements, which can be found in the district’s rules here. If you are seeking to drill a new well you can also contact one of the local drillers in the area.
They can complete the district’s application process on your behalf.

2) Are there any local water-well drillers in the area I can contact?

Yes. Local water-well drillers in the area include:

Arrowhead Drilling and Well Service www.arrowheadwellservice.com

and

Skinner’s Drilling and Well Service www.skinnersdrillingbigbend.com

3) Is my water well subject to any regulations of the groundwater district?

That depends. If you use your well to supply your residence (including a swimming pool or hot tub, garden or lawn), or to water your livestock or to provide water to wildlife, your well is classified as “exempt.” This means that your well is not subject to regulation by the groundwater district.
These kinds of wells make up the vast majority of wells in Presidio County.

But if you use (or plan to use) your well for any other activity, such as for example, an agricultural, industrial, or commercial use, you will need to apply for an operating permit. The application form can be found here and the applicable regulations can be found in the district’s rules here. An operating permit is for a specific volume of groundwater per year for a specific use. The district cannot issue an operating permit without first holding a public hearing that must be announced in the newspaper.

4) Can the groundwater district test the water in my well?

No. Water testing can be very expensive. The district does not currently have the resources to provide this service. The Texas Well Owner Network twon.tamu.edu provides some water testing services. You might also try contacting one of the local drillers for advice.

5) When and where does the groundwater district’s board meet?

The board usually meets the second Thursday of each month in either Marfa or Presidio. Meetings in Marfa take place in the Jury Room on the
second floor of the Presidio County Courthouse at 300 N. Highland Street. Meetings in Presidio take place in the conference room at Presidio City Hall
at 1 O’Reilly Street.

The agenda of each meeting is posted at least 72 hours in advance. Each agenda includes information to join the meeting remotely by Zoom. You can find the agenda on the door of the Presidio County Courthouse or here. If you would like to be added to our agenda mailing list, please email info@pcuwcd.org to be added.

For any further questions, feel free to contact us at info@pcuwcd.org or 432.295.2568