Every gallon counts toward managing and protecting our groundwater. Your annual production report helps:

• Track groundwater usage across the district
• Protect your groundwater rights
• Support planning during droughts
• Ensure fair and responsible groundwater management

You still have to report. Even if you pumped zero gallons of water last year, you must report “0”.

• Online reporting at https://euwcd.halff.com/usage
• Mail it to 110 Wyoming Blvd, Pleasanton TX 78064

January 15th every year.

Water conservation helps protect our underground aquifers, ensuring water for homes, farms, and future generations. Conserving water reduces stress on wells and extends the life of our groundwater resources.

You can conserve groundwater by fixing leaks, installing low-flow fixtures, reduce watering lawns, and using drought-tolerant native plants. Consider rainwater harvesting or scheduling irrigation based on weather and soil moisture.

Yes! Even small changes can add up. Reducing outdoor watering, upgrading appliances, or turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can save thousands of gallons of groundwater each year.

e provide education, resources, and policies to encourage responsible water use. We also monitor well water levels, track production wells, and support conservation practices throughout the district.

EUWCD regularly monitors groundwater levels through a network of observation wells across Atascosa, Frio, Karnes, and Wilson counties. These measurements help assess aquifer conditions, identify trends in water levels, and evaluate the effects of pumping and drought. The data is used to inform management decisions and ensure compliance with Desired Future Conditions (DFCs) and other planning goals​. Learn more about our monitoring program here.

Desired Future Conditions (DFCs) are quantitative goals that describe the desired condition of an aquifer at a specific future date—such as an acceptable amount of water level decline by 2080. DFCs are adopted through a joint planning process by Groundwater Management Areas (GMAs), and EUWCD is part of GMAs 13 and 15. These DFCs form the basis for determining Modeled Available Groundwater (MAG), which in turn guides permit decisions and long-term resource planning​​.

An unregistered well will not be protected under our District Rules and may be subject to enforcement actions for noncompliance.

As of 2/19/2025 an exempt well registration costs $10 but is subject to change. Please refer to our fee schedule for up-to-date costs.

This helps EUWCD protect your well by keeping records of its location and ensuring compliance with spacing requirements to prevent other wells from interfering with yours. It also helps EUWCD protect against waste and contamination by ensuring wells are constructed properly and meet state and local requirements.

Not necessarily. An exempt well is determined by the amount of water it can produce per minute. This is called gallons per minute (GPM). Exempt wells are those that produce less than 17.5 GPM or less than 25,000 gallons per day. Additional rules for exemption wells are those used solely for drilling rig supply in oil and gas exploration or used for mining activities under a Texas Railroad Commission permit.

As of 2/19/2025 there is no expiration for an exempt well registration. Please refer to our rules to see if anything has changed.

One way is to check the state driller’s reports by locating your well on the map and reviewing the report for the GPM when the well was built. Another way would be to contact a licensed driller for well testing.

The Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District (EUWCD) is a groundwater conservation district created by the Texas Legislature in 1965 under the authority of Section 59, Article XVI of the Texas Constitution. The District is responsible for the conservation, preservation, protection, and prevention of waste of groundwater resources in its jurisdiction. EUWCD regulates groundwater through well permitting, monitoring, and public education in accordance with Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code and its adopted rules and management plan​​.

The EUWCD encompasses four counties in South Texas: Atascosa, Frio, Karnes, and Wilson. The boundaries of the District are coterminous with those of these counties, covering approximately 3,917 square miles​.

EUWCD is governed by a Board of Directors composed of nine members. Two directors are elected from each of the four counties, and one director is appointed by the Governor of Texas. The Board adopts and enforces rules, issues permits, and oversees the District’s operations in accordance with state law​.

The District office is located at:

110 Wyoming Blvd
Pleasanton, Texas 78064

Yes, groundwater may be transported outside of the District, but it requires a Transport Permit issued by EUWCD. Applications for groundwater export are reviewed to ensure compliance with the District’s rules, including volume limits, beneficial use, and impact on local aquifer conditions. All transport permits are subject to conditions set by the Board and must not interfere with the District’s management goals​. Please refer to our district rules here and view our fee schedule here.

Modeled Available Groundwater (MAG) is the amount of groundwater that can be pumped annually, on average, without exceeding the Desired Future Conditions (DFCs) for an aquifer. MAG is established by the Texas Water Development Board using groundwater availability models. EUWCD uses MAG to evaluate permit applications and to ensure that cumulative groundwater withdrawals remain within sustainable limits set by state planning efforts in Groundwater Management Areas 13 and 15​.

The EUWCD strictly prohibits the waste of groundwater. Waste includes actions such as producing water without beneficial use, allowing water to escape into other aquifers or onto land, polluting aquifers, or letting irrigation tailwater flow onto neighboring properties without permission. All well owners and operators must take precautions to prevent waste and protect groundwater quality. The District may issue enforcement orders to stop waste or pollution and may take emergency action when necessary​. Please refer to our district rules here.

The landowner (or well operator) is ultimately responsible for ensuring the well is registered or permitted correctly. However, licensed well drillers must also coordinate with the District and submit well reports after construction. Both parties should contact the District before drilling to avoid violations​.

An exempt well is typically a small-capacity well that produces LESS THAN 25,000 gallons per day (about 17.5 GPM). These wells do not require a production permit, but they must be registered with the District.

A permitted well, on the other hand, produces MORE THAN 25,000 gallons per day. These wells require a production permit and are subject to spacing, production, and reporting rules.

Yes. If an exempt well is modified to produce more than 25,000 gallons per day, or its use changes (e.g., from domestic to commercial), it must be permitted by the District. Failure to update the status of the well can result in enforcement action. The District may also revoke an exemption if the conditions no longer meet the criteria under Rule 6.1​.

Yes. All new wells must be reviewed by the District before drilling begins. The District will determine whether the well qualifies as exempt or requires a permit. Drilling without prior registration or a permit (as applicable) is a violation of District rules​.

Yes. Existing wells that were never registered should be reported to the District as soon as possible. Registration helps protect your well from spacing conflicts and ensures compliance with state law. Unregistered wells are not protected by the District and may be subject to enforcement action​.

Yes. All wells in the District must meet minimum spacing requirements from property lines and other wells. Spacing depends on well type, capacity, and whether it is exempt or permitted. The District enforces these requirements to protect existing wells and aquifer conditions​.

Yes, they will expire every 5 years.

The well requires a permit when it is capable of producing more than 17.5 gallons per minute (GPM) or more than 25,000 gallons per day.

If your well is incapable of producing more than 25,000 gallons per day, it may be exempt but still requires registration. Contact EUWCD to confirm your well’s status.

Please refer to our fee schedule to determine the cost of your permit. Fees include application fees, production fees, and transport/exporting fees where applicable.

Permits expire every 5 years and need to be renewed before expiration. Be sure to ask the EUWCD staff where you can find your expiration date(s).

One way is to check the state driller’s reports by locating your well on the map and reviewing the report for the GPM when the well was built. Another way would be to contact a licensed driller for well testing.

The amount of water you can pump depends on several factors which include contiguous acreage, aquifer being accessed, and number of connections (for public supply). For an in depth description of permit amounts please refer to our rules.

For permitted wells, yes, you are required to have a meter to accurately track groundwater use. Occasionally the district has grants to help with the cost of installing meters on active wells, please reach out to the EUWCD staff to see if we currently have an active grant.

Yes – If you have a permitted well you are required to report either monthly or annually, depending on your permit. Please reach out to the EUWCD office to determine how to report your usage.