Water Wells 101

What Is a Water Well?

A water well is a structure drilled or dug into the ground to access groundwater stored in underground aquifers. Unlike city water, which comes from a municipal treatment and distribution system, well water is drawn directly from the earth beneath your property and pumped to the surface for use in your home, livestock operations, or irrigation.

In Texas, private water wells are common — especially in rural areas, acreage properties, and smaller communities outside large city limits. Millions of Texans rely on wells as their primary water source.

How Water Wells Work in Texas

Most residential water wells in Texas are drilled wells — a steel or PVC casing is driven deep into the ground until it reaches a saturated aquifer zone. A submersible pump sits at the bottom of the casing and pushes water up through the well pipe, through a pressure tank, and into your home’s plumbing system.

Key components of a modern water well system:

• Well casing — the pipe that lines the borehole and keeps it from collapsing
• Well cap — a sealed top that prevents surface water and debris from entering
• Submersible pump — electric pump submerged in the water to push it to the surface
• Pressure tank — stores pressurized water so the pump doesn’t run constantly
• Pressure switch — triggers the pump when pressure drops below a set threshold
• Water lines — connect the well system to your home’s plumbing

Types of Water Wells in Texas

Drilled Wells

The most common type in Texas. A drilling rig bores a hole anywhere from 100 to 1,000+ feet deep, depending on local aquifer conditions. Drilled wells are durable, less susceptible to surface contamination, and the standard choice for residential properties.

Dug Wells

Older, shallow wells excavated by hand or machinery to reach a water table close to the surface. These are rare in modern Texas construction and are more vulnerable to contamination from surface runoff.

Driven Wells

A small-diameter pipe is driven into soft ground to reach a shallow water source. Typically limited to areas with sandy soil and high water tables. Not common in North Texas.

Texas Well Regulations and Permits

In Texas, water well drilling is regulated at both the state and local level:

• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) licenses all water well drillers in the state. You must use a licensed driller for any new well installation.
• Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) requires drillers to file a Driller’s Report for every well completed. These reports are the backbone of Texas well records.
• Groundwater Conservation Districts (GCDs) may require additional permits, registration of new wells, and compliance with local production rules. Whether your property is inside a GCD matters — and it must now be disclosed under TREC Form 61-0.

What Is a Groundwater Conservation District (GCD)?

Texas has 101 Groundwater Conservation Districts — locally governed entities created by the Texas Legislature to manage groundwater production in specific areas of the state. If your property falls within a GCD, the district may have rules about:

• Registering new wells before drilling
• Obtaining production permits for commercial or high-volume pumping
• Annual production reporting
• Well spacing requirements from property lines or other wells

Not all of Texas is covered by a GCD — some areas fall outside any district. Knowing whether your property is inside or outside a GCD is important for buyers, sellers, and anyone planning to drill.

What Is TREC Form 61-0?

TREC Form 61-0 is a new required disclosure form for Texas real estate transactions. Adopted by the Texas Real Estate Commission on February 9, 2026, it takes effect on May 4, 2026.

Sellers are required to disclose:

• Whether the property is located within a Groundwater Conservation District
• Whether there are any water wells on the property (active or plugged)
• The primary source of water for the property (municipal, well, surface water, or other)
• Known surface water rights and limitations on groundwater use

This form applies to all Texas real estate transactions — not just rural properties. Even homes on city water must complete the disclosure.

Learn more: TREC Form 61-0 Guide for Buyers and Sellers

What Home Buyers Should Know About Wells

If you are purchasing property in Texas that has a private water well — or that could have one — there are several things to verify before closing:

• Is there a registered well on this property? Run a free well check to find out instantly.
• Is the well active or plugged? A plugged well may still need to be inspected and confirmed sealed. An active well needs a current inspection and water quality test.
• What is the water quality? North Texas aquifers can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, iron, and hardness minerals. Always test before assuming water is safe.
• What is the Groundwater Conservation District? Know the rules that govern water production on your new property before you make plans to irrigate or expand water use.
• What is the well depth and pump age? A well pump typically lasts 10–15 years. Knowing the installation date helps you budget for future maintenance.

When to Get a Well Check

A free well check is a good starting point any time you want to know whether registered well records exist on a Texas property. You should run a well check when:

• You are making an offer on a rural or acreage property
• You are completing a TREC Form 61-0 as a seller
• You are considering drilling a well and want to see what neighbors have done
• You have an existing well and want to see the original driller’s report on file
• You are a real estate agent representing a buyer or seller on a property with potential well activity