POST OAK SAVANNAH GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
SUMMARY OF RULES & MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES,
Jan. 1, 2011
Drilling, Registration & Permitting
- Water wells incapable of producing more than 25,000 GPD (17.36 GPM) for domestic or livestock uses are exempt from permitting and fees, but must obtain registration prior to drilling.
- Drilling permits required for all non-exempt wells.
- Drilling permits are for 1 year with 6 month extension available.
- All pre-existing wells are subject to registration, and permitting if necessary.
- Maximum withdrawal allowed presently is 2 acre feet, per contiguous acre controlled, per year.
- Most Non-exempt well drilling & operating permits are subject to hearing process & approval by Board.
- Permits describe the amount and rate of withdrawal of water as well as the location and usage.
- Most Non-exempt wells require notification to all property owners within .5 miles of the well and notification in at least one newspaper in each county.
- Production Permits are issued not to exceed 40 years with a review every 5 years.
- Groundwater Export Permit required for water exported outside the District. A hearing, notification process, and Board approval is required.
- Export Permits have thirty year terms if construction of conveyance system initiated within 3 years.
- Agriculture use wells are exempt from notice and hearing requirements and fees.
- Historic use permits (for maximum annual use prior to 2004) good for life of well.
Well spacing requirements
- All wells must be at least 50 ft. from property boundary or another existing well, with non-exempt wells as follows:
- In the Simsboro formation the spacing of a new well shall be as provided in (a) or (b), at the election of the owner exercised when the application for a new well permit is filed:
(A) one foot per gallon per minute of production capacity from any well existing in that formation and one-half foot per gallon per minute from the property line of each adjoining landowner; or
(B) based on engineering studies and drawdown criteria derived from GAM simulations of:
1. no more than 8% drawdown of hydraulic head at the property boundary;
2. no more than 25% drawdown of hydraulic head anywhere within the property; and
3. minimum of one monitoring well for each 2,000 acre/feet/year of permitted production
- A new well to be completed in the Trinity, Sparta, Queen City, Carrizo, Calvert Bluff or Hooper formations shall be spaced a distance of two feet per one gallon per minute production capacity from any well existing in the same formation, and one foot per gallon per minute from the property line of each owner of abutting land that is not owned or controlled by the owner of the new well.
- Little River and Brazos River Alluvium wells are exempt from spacing requirements.
District Fees
- Current Production Fee – $.01 per 1000 gallons permitted
- Export Fee – $.04 per 1000 gallons permitted
- Non-exempt well application- $100.00 plus additional staff time &/or necessary professional services
- Export application – $100.00 plus any additional staff time &/or necessary professional services
- Exempt well application to drill- $100.00 refundable deposit
- Misc.: Staff Time – $50.00 per hour, Copying – $.10 per page, Certified Copies – $1.00 per page, Returned Check Fee – $25.00
Management Strategy
- Divide District into management zones based on aquifer properties and characteristics.
- Provide protection for existing users and landowners’ property rights.
- Set predetermined threshold levels of aquifer impact based on existing user’s wells.
- Evaluate aquifer impacts through District Monitoring Well Program.
- Take appropriate action to protect and maintain appropriate aquifer water levels to protect both current and future producers.
- Work within GMA process to develop DFCs and management strategies beneficial to all stakeholders.