Texas Well Driller Compliance Reference

Licensing Requirements

Texas requires a licensed Water Well Driller (Occupations Code Ch.1901) and a licensed Pump Installer (Ch.1902) for private wells. Driller licenses carry endorsements by well type (e.g. W = water wells, M = monitoring wells, N = injection wells, D = dewatering wells, C = closed-loop geothermal, A = master driller). Pump Installer licenses have endorsements by pump type (e.g. P = single-phase, K = three-phase, T = turbine, windmill/handpumps, I = master installer).

License Fees

Licensing Requirements

Renewal Process

Forms & Resources

All TDLR Forms

• Form WWD-LIC-015-E: License Application
• Form WWD-001: Well Construction Report (Log)
• Form WWD-004: Plugging Report
• State Well Report: TWDB online submission system

Reporting & Documentation

Well Construction Report Requirements

By law, the driller must keep an accurate legible well log (state form) during drilling. The log must include:

• Depth, lithology, water-bearing zones
• Casing sizes, materials, and depths
• Grouting/sealing information
• Construction details and completion methods
• Well owner information

Plugging Report Requirements

When a well is abandoned or plugged, the driller/owner must file a Plugging Report within 30 days to the local Groundwater Conservation District (if applicable) and to TDLR (form WWD-004).

Construction Standards (16 TAC §76)

Drillings must follow 16 TAC §76.100 and related provisions. Wells must avoid commingling aquifers and must be constructed to prevent contamination.

Casing Materials

Only approved casing materials may be used:

• PVC: Must be NSF/ANSI-certified for potable use (ASTM F480, label "NSF-pw"). If PVC is used, the annulus must be cement- or grout-buffered (e.g. concrete slab at surface). PVC casing is not approved within 150 ft of petroleum tanks or chemical sources.
• Steel: Must be new ASTM-A53 (minimum Schedule 10)
• Fiberglass: Must meet NSF-61/ASTM D-2996

Annular Seal (Grouting)

The borehole-casing space must be sealed with cement or bentonite for at least 10 ft of depth (measured from surface), including a 2-ft cement top barrier (or sand column with 2-ft cement cap). For public-supply wells, TCEQ rules require pressure-placed concrete grout in the annulus from the top of the usable water formation to the surface.

Surface Completion

Surface completion requires a minimum 4-inch-thick slab extending 2 ft from the casing, sloped to drain away.

Setback Requirements

Wells must be sited away from contamination sources. Minimum horizontal separations:

Local Groundwater Conservation Districts may have stricter setback requirements. Always check GCD rules for your area.

Flood Protection

Wells cannot be placed where subject to flooding unless sealed by a watertight sanitary seal and casing sleeve extending ≥36 inches above ground.

Disinfection

Any new, newly reconditioned or repaired well intended for human consumption must be disinfected (chlorinated) before being put in service, unless the owner signs a written waiver. Follow EPA/TDLR guidance (flush until no chlorine detectable, then verify with bacteria samples).

Permitting

Domestic Wells

By Texas Water Code, domestic wells for a single household (up to 25,000 gal/day) are generally exempt from permitting. However, drilling must still follow state construction standards (16 TAC §76).

High-Capacity Wells

Any well with higher capacity or non-domestic use (municipal, industrial, irrigation, etc.) typically requires a Groundwater Conservation District (GCD) permit. For example, the Bluebonnet GCD (Austin-area) requires an operating permit for all "non-exempt" wells.

Special Permits

• Geothermal (closed-loop): Exempt from TCEQ Class V permitting as of 2023 (SB 786). Regulation moved to the Railroad Commission. Open-loop geothermal wells that inject unrelated fluids might fall under injection well rules.
• Monitoring/Test Wells: Typically no special permit beyond the driller's license is needed. Some districts may require registration. Monitoring wells must still follow construction standards but often allow shallower seals if not used for production.

Drilling Conditions by Region

Texas geology is diverse. Major aquifers include Ogallala/High Plains, Trinity/Edwards Plateaus, Gulf Coast, Carrizo-Wilcox, Pecos, Hueco-Mesilla, and more. Reference the TWDB's aquifer maps for detailed information.

Major Texas Aquifers

Regional Challenges

Special Areas & Contaminants

Arsenic Advisory Zones

Elevated arsenic is known in some Texas aquifers (e.g. parts of the Ogallala, Trans-Pecos, Gulf Coast). While no statewide extra casing is mandated specifically for arsenic, drillers should test new wells and, if arsenic > 10 ppb, consider treatment or deeper casing. Local health departments or TWDB can identify "arsenic-prone" formations.

Other Contamination Zones

Avoid known pollutant plumes, industrial sites, or landfill areas. The TCEQ recommends special review/spacing if VOC plumes or underground tanks are nearby. For example, PVC casing is not approved if the well is sited within 150 ft of a petroleum tank/chemical source.

Wellhead Protection Areas

Public-supply WHPAs are delineated by TCEQ for major water systems. Drillers should be aware of any WHPA on a property (contact local utilities or TCEQ source-water programs). Work in such zones may have additional review or notification requirements under local ordinances.

Resources & Contacts

Regulatory References

• Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1901 – Water Well Drillers
• Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1902 – Water Well Pump Installers
• 16 TAC Chapter 76 – Water Well Drillers and Pump Installers (TDLR rules)
• 16 TAC §76.100 – Technical Requirements - Locations and Standards of Completion for Wells

Online Systems

• TDLR Forms & Publications – All official forms (WWD-001, WWD-004, etc.)
• TWDB Well Report System (TWRSRS) – Online well report submission

Frequently Asked Questions