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

• How Do Water Levels in Wells Affect Groundwater Quality and Quantity? (June 2024, PDF)
• Why Monitor Groundwater Levels? (June 2024, PDF)
• Water in Texas – Who Owns It ? (May 2008, updated June 2012, PDF)
• What Are the Texas Evapotranspiration (ET) Networks? (June 2024, PDF)
• Brush Control/Management (TWDB/TSSWCB)

Groundwater Quality

• Pesticides in Urban Groundwater (January 2024, PDF)
• Have Radionuclides Been Detected in Texas Groundwater? (June 2024, PDF)
• How Do You Prevent Pesticide Contamination of Private Water Wells ? (January 2024, PDF)

In Situ Uranium Mining

• Where Is Uranium Found in Texas? (March 2024, PDF)
• How Were the Uranium Deposits in South Texas Created? (March 2024, PDF)
• How Is Uranium Mined in Texas? (March 2024, PDF)
• What Is the Quality of Groundwater Within the Uranium-Mineralized Zone? (March 2024, PDF)
• Are In Situ Uranium Mine Operators Required to Clean Up Affected Groundwater? (March 2024, PDF)
• How Much Groundwater Is Required for an In Situ Uranium Mining Operation? (March 2024, PDF)
• Is the Uranium Recovered from Mining Ready for Use? (March 2024, PDF)
• How Has the Process of In Situ Uranium Mining Changed Over Time? (March 2024, PDF)

Oil and Gas

• What is an Injection Well ? (October 2011, PDF)
• How Do the Underground Injection Control Regulations Protect Groundwater? (March 2024, PDF)
• How Are Class II Oil and Gas Disposal Wells Regulated? (March 2024, 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? (March 2024, PDF)
• Who Has Jurisdiction Over the Clean-up of Wastes from Oil and Gas Activities in Texas? (March 2024, PDF)
• Can I Convert an Abandoned Oil or Gas Well Into a Water Well? (March 2024, 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? (June 2024, 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? (June 2024, 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 (June 2024, 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? (June 2024, PDF)
• What is the Difference Between a Cistern and a Large Diameter Water Well? (June 2024, PDF)
• What You Should Know Before Buying Property with a Private Water Well (June 2024, 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)? (June 2024, PDF)
• How Do You Form a Groundwater Conservation District (GCD)? (June 2024, PDF)
• Groundwater Conservation District (GCD) FAQs (TWDB)

Regional Water Planning Groups (RWPGs)

• What is a Regional Water Planning Group (RWPG)? (June 2024, PDF)
• What Planning Activities are Conducted by Regional Water Planning Groups (RWPGs)? (March 2024, PDF)
• What is the Status of the Regional Water Planning Group (RWPG) Process? (March 2024, PDF)
• What Does It Cost to Conduct Regional Water Planning Group (RWPG) Activities? (March 2024, 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)? (March 2024, PDF)
• What is a Priority Groundwater Management Area (PGMA) ? (September 2008, last updated December 2017, PDF)
• What is the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee (TGPC)? (June 2024, PDF)

Publications

• What is the State Water Plan? (March 2024, PDF)
• What is the Joint Groundwater Monitoring and Contamination Report? (June 2024, PDF)

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