Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are one- to two-page summaries of topics related to groundwater quantity, groundwater quality, septic systems, water wells, administrative entities, and publications. These popular press articles are available to assist state-wide newsletter editors and webmasters in disseminating groundwater-related information to the public. Additional FAQs are currently under development.

The Texas Groundwater Protection Committee grants permission for the use of this information as a free service to the public. FAQs may be referenced, printed in their entirety, or linked to on the Internet, provided that attribution remains.

links to useful FAQs on TGPC member websites are also provided. See the TGPC’s Disclaimer of External Linkages for more information.

Groundwater Quantity

• What is the Relationship Between Water Levels in Wells and Groundwater Quality and Quantity ? (February 2008, updated June 2012, PDF)
• Why Monitor Groundwater Levels ? (February 2008, updated June 2012, PDF)
• Water in Texas – Who Owns It ? (May 2008, updated June 2012, PDF)
• What Are the Texas Evapotranspiration (ET) Networks ? (December 2013, last updated January 2022, PDF)
• Brush Control/Management (TWDB/TSSWCB)

Groundwater Quality

• What Did TCEQ’s Monitoring Program in Urban Areas Find in the Groundwater ? (March 2009, updated March 2011, PDF)
• Have Radionuclides Been Detected in Texas Groundwater ? (September 2010, PDF)
• How Is Pesticide Contamination of Private Water Wells Prevented ? (December 2012, PDF)

In Situ Uranium Mining

• Where Can Uranium Be Found ? (June 2009, PDF)
• How Were the Uranium Deposits in South Texas Created ? (June 2009, PDF)
• How Is Uranium Mined in Texas ? (January 2010, PDF)
• What Is the Quality of Groundwater Within the Uranium-Mineralized Zone ? (January 2010, PDF)
• Once In Situ Uranium Mining Is Complete at a Site, Is the Mine Operator Required to Clean Up the Affected Groundwater ? (January 2010, PDF)
• How Much Groundwater Is Required for an In Situ Uranium Mining Operation ? (January 2010, PDF)
• Is the Uranium Recovered from Mining Ready to Be Used ? (January 2010, PDF)
• How Has the Process of In Situ Uranium Mining Changed Since It Was First Applied ? (January 2010, PDF)

Oil and Gas

• What is an Injection Well ? (October 2011, PDF)
• How Do the Underground Injection Control Regulations Protect Groundwater ? (January 2012, PDF)
• How Are Class II Oil and Gas Disposal Wells Regulated ? (October 2011, PDF)
• How Are Class II Oil and Gas Disposal Wells Regulated to Protect Water Quality ? (October 2011, PDF)
• What Are the Construction Standards for Class II Oil and Gas Disposal Wells ? (October 2011, PDF)
• What Are the Permitting Processes for a Class II Oil and Gas Disposal Well ? (October 2011, PDF)
• How Are Class II Oil and Gas Disposal Wells Monitored to Ensure That They Are Not Leaking ? (October 2011, PDF)
• Who Has Jurisdiction Over the Clean-up of Wastes from Oil and Gas Activities in Texas ? (January 2012, PDF)
• Can I Convert an Abandoned Oil or Gas Well Into a Water Well ? (October 2015, PDF)
• Hydraulic Fracturing (RRC)
• Water Use in Association with Oil and Gas Activities (RRC)

Septic Systems

• What Do I Need to Know About the Operation and Maintenance of Onsite Wastewater Systems ? (February 2008, updated March 2010, PDF)
• On-Site Sewage Facilities (OSSF) (AgriLife Extension)
• On-Site Sewage Facilities (Septic Systems): Information for Homeowners (TCEQ)

Water Wells

• What Do I Need to Know About Capping A Water Well for Future Use ? (February 2008, PDF)
• What Do I Need to Know About Plugging An Abandoned Water Well ? (February 2008, updated September 2015, PDF)
• What Are the Statewide Water Well Databases ? (January 2012, PDF)
• What are the Different Terms Used to Describe Abandoned and Deteriorated Water Wells ? (April 2014, PDF)
• Groundwater Monitoring Wells (July 2017, PDF)
• As a Property Owner, What Should I Know About My Water Well ? (July 2020, PDF)
• What Do I Need to Know About Preparing a Water Well for Flooding/Storm Events ? (October 2021, PDF)
• Cistern vs Large Diameter Water Well (October 2021, PDF)
• What You Should Know Before Buying Property with a Private Water Well (January 2022, PDF)
• Technical Guidance on Abandoned or Deteriorated Water Wells (TDLR)
• Texas Well Owner Network FAQs (TSSWCB/AgriLife Extension)
• General Groundwater and Private Water Well FAQs (TWDB)

Administrative Entities

Groundwater Conservation Districts (GCDs)

• What is a Groundwater Conservation District (GCD) ? (September 2008, last updated December 2017, PDF)
• How Do You Form a Groundwater Conservation District (GCD) ? (September 2008, PDF)
• Groundwater Conservation District (GCD) FAQs (TWDB)

Regional Water Planning Groups (RWPGs)

• What is a Regional Water Planning Group (RWPG) ? (September 2008, updated June 2016, PDF)
• What Planning Activities are Conducted by Regional Water Planning Groups (RWPGs) ? (December 2008, updated June 2016, PDF)
• What is the Status of the Regional Water Planning Group (RWPG) Process ? (December 2008, last updated June 2016, PDF)
• What Does It Cost to Conduct Regional Water Planning Group (RWPG) Activities ? (December 2008, last updated June 2016, PDF)
• The Role of Modeled Available Groundwater in Regional Water Planning (TWDB)

Others

• What is a Municipal Setting Designation ? (February 2008, updated June 2012, PDF)
• What is a Groundwater Management Area (GMA) ? (September 2008, updated June 2012, PDF)
• What is a Priority Groundwater Management Area (PGMA) ? (September 2008, last updated December 2017, PDF)
• What is the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee (TGPC) ? (December 2008, last updated December 2015, PDF)

Publications

• What is the State Water Plan ? (March 2009, updated June 2012, PDF)
• What is the Joint Groundwater Monitoring and Contamination Report ? (June 2009, updated June 2012, PDF)

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