1. Texas Groundwater Protection Committee and Abandoned Water Wells
Environmental Trade Fair
May 16, 2017

2. Texas Groundwater Protection Committee (TGPC)
Created by the Texas Legislature in 1989, the TGPC bridges the gap between state groundwater programs, improves coordination between member agencies, and works to protect groundwater as a vital resource
The TGPC is the primary mechanism for achieving the state’s groundwater protection goal and implementing the state’s groundwater protection policy

3. TGPC Membership
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ, Chair)
Texas Water Development Board (TWDB, Vice Chair)
Railroad Commission of Texas
Texas Department of State Health Services
Texas Department of Agriculture
Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board
Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts
Texas A&M AgriLife Research
Bureau of Economic Geology of The University of Texas at Austin
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)

4. TGPC Statutory Responsibilities
Coordinate groundwater protection and information exchange activities among the state’s regulatory and research entities
Prepare the state’s Groundwater Protection Strategy
Prepare an annual Joint Groundwater Monitoring and Contamination Report which documents groundwater contamination cases in the state
Assist in preparation of Pesticide Management Plans
Prepare a biennial report to the Legislature on groundwater protection activities in the state

6. Critical Natural Resource
In Texas, nine major aquifers and 21 minor aquifers provide:
60% of all freshwater withdrawals
80% of agricultural use (mostly for irrigation)
>99% of drinking water for the rural population
That makes groundwater one of our most precious resources
Protecting the quality of this vital resource is the responsibility of all Texans

7. Water Well Legacy
An estimated 150,000 private/domestic water wells have been abandoned without being properly plugged
This creates a risk to humans, animals, and our groundwater that cannot be ignored.
Around homes, farms, industrial sites, and urban areas in every county in the state, an estimated 150,000 private/domestic water wells have been abandoned without being properly plugged
First picture is of a donkey that fell into a well shaft. The 2nd pictures is of a large number of rodent skulls that were found in a well.
Note: This presentation does not address requirements governing Public Water System drinking water wells. 
You may contact TCEQ’s Public Drinking Water Section at about those requirements.

8. What is an Abandoned Water Well ?
Defined in Tex. Occupations Code, Title 12, Chapter 1901, Section (a):
A water well is considered abandoned if it is not in use
A water well is considered in use if:
It is a non-deteriorated well that contains the casing, pump, and pump column in good condition, or
It is a non-deteriorated well that has been appropriately capped for future use, or
It meets one of three other selected criteria related to beneficial use, similar users, or governmental program

9. Threat to Water Supply
An abandoned water well is a direct conduit from the surface to the aquifer below
This puts the health of those that use the water well, as well as other nearby wells, at risk
Deterioration of the well casing can also allow the co-mingling of two aquifers that are chemically different
Around homes, farms, industrial sites, and urban areas in every county in the state, an estimated 150,000 private/domestic water wells have been abandoned without being properly plugged

10. Threat to Water Supply
A deteriorated water well could cause pollution of any water in this state, including groundwater
A deteriorated water well must be plugged or brought into compliance
Once in compliance, the well could be repurposed as a TWDB or Groundwater Conservation District (GCD) monitoring well

11. Deteriorated Water Wells
No annular cement or
surface completion
Pictures showing a well that is open near the surface and another with no annular cement or surface completion.
Open near the surface

12. Deteriorated Water Well
Needs a seal on the well head that is
not easily removed by hand and can
withstand 400 pounds of weight
These pictures are of the side and top of a well that needs to be seal that is not easily removed by hand and can withstand 400 lbs of weight.

13. Deteriorated Water Wells
Improper cap
2 pictures of wells that were improperly capped.
Improper cap

14. Deteriorated Water Wells
2 pictures of deteriorated wells

15. What if there is an Abandoned Water Well ?
Be aware that:
The landowner or person in possession of the well is responsible for capping or plugging it
Tex. Administrative Code, Title 16, Part 4, Chapter 76, Section 76.72(e) and (f)
If the well is plugged or capped, TDLR (and the local GCD, if there is one) must be notified in a plugging report from the driller, a licensed pump installer, or a well owner within 30 days
Tex. Occupations Code, Title 12, Chapter 1901, Section (d)

16. How Do You Plug a Well ?
The landowner can plug their abandoned water well following the eight steps outlined in Landowner’s Guide to Plugging Abandoned Water Wells (TCEQ publication RG-347)
All obstructing material must be removed from the well and any standing water disinfected
The well must be plugged from the bottom up with bentonite chips, bentonite grout, or cement
Large-diameter wells can also be filled with clay-based soils, compacted clay, or caliche soil

17. How Do You Plug a Well ?
If the water well is located within a GCD the landowner should notify the district of their intention to plug the well
Inquire about any district forms or fees
Seek the district’s professional consultation about any other compliance issues that may apply

18. Texas Groundwater Protection Committee (TGPC)
Grafic of TGPC website and link to the abandoned well map application

19. Plugging Report A graphic of a plugging report

20. Water Report Viewer

21. Available Experts
In order to fully understand the local conditions and regulations, it is highly recommended that before the landowner begins the process of plugging an abandoned water well, they seek advice from:
Their local GCD
A licensed water well driller and/or pump installer in their area, or
The Water Well Drillers and Pump Installers Program of the TDLR

22. TGPC and Abandoned Water Wells
Abandoned Water Wells are identified in the 2017 TGPC Legislative Report as a focus area for financial assistance and education
Abandoned Water Wells are included in the TGPC Public Outreach and Education (POE) Subcommittee’s Groundwater Educational Outreach Plan

23. Contacts Cary Betz (TCEQ), TGPC Chair
Kathy McCormack (TCEQ), TGPC Groundwater Issues Subcommittee Co-Chair
Peggy Hunka (TCEQ), TGPC POE Subcommittee Co-Chair

24. Well Owner Resources
Find your local GCD, Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts (TAGD),
Find GCDs that offer cost-share programs for plugging abandoned water wells,
Find forms, Frequently Asked Questions, and rules related to water wells, Water Well Drillers and Pump Installers Program of the TDLR,
Find a licensed water well driller or pump installer in your area, TDLR License Data Search,
Find a voluntary private water well screening and/or training event near you, Texas Well Owner Network (TWON),

25. References Tex. Occupations Code Title 12 Chpt 1901.255(a):
(1) “Abandoned well” means a well that is not in use. A well is considered to be in use if:
(A) the well is not a deteriorated well and contains the casing, pump, and pump column in good condition;
(B) the well is not a deteriorated well and has been capped;
(C) the water from the well has been put to an authorized beneficial use, as defined by the Water Code;
(D) the well is used in the normal course and scope and with the intensity and frequency of other similar users in the general community; or
(E) the owner is participating in the Conservation Reserve Program authorized by Sections , Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. Sections ), or a similar governmental program.
(2) “Deteriorated well” means a well that, because of its condition, will cause or is likely to cause pollution of any water in this state, including groundwater.

26. References
Texas Groundwater Protection Strategy,
Joint Groundwater Monitoring and Contamination Report,
Activities and Recommendations of the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee: Report to the 84th Legislature,
Landowner’s Guide to Plugging Abandoned Water Wells,

27. References
What are the Different Terms Used to Describe Abandoned and Deteriorated Water Wells ?,
Plugging Abandoned Water Wells, B-6238
Capping of Water Wells for Future Use, L-5490
TGPC Groundwater Educational Outreach Plan, 2nd Edition,