Groundwater

Part of the County Has a Groundwater Conservation District

The Red Sands Groundwater Conservation District covers about 114 square miles in north-central Hidalgo County and regulates well drilling there.

Hidalgo County Home & Property

Most of Hidalgo County relies on irrigation canals fed by the Rio Grande for water. However, the Red Sands aquifer lies under the north-central part of the county. The Red Sands Groundwater Conservation District was created to protect it.

If your property is in that district, you will need a well permit before drilling. If you are outside the district, check with TCEQ for any applicable state groundwater rules. The district covers roughly 7 percent of the county's total area.

Source to confirm: TWDB – Red Sands GCD Management Plan

More Hidalgo County notes

Property Tax Basics

Two Separate Offices Handle Your Property Taxes

Hidalgo County has one office that values your property and a different office that collects the taxes—you need to know which to contact.

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Homestead Exemption

A Homestead Exemption Can Lower Your Tax Bill

If your home is your main residence, you can file for a homestead exemption that reduces how much of its value gets taxed.

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Taxing Units

Your Tax Bill Comes From Many Different Entities

Hidalgo County has 56 active taxing units, so your total tax bill is the sum of rates from several different entities.

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Agricultural Valuation

Farm and Ranch Land Can Be Taxed on Productivity, Not Market Value

Texas law lets qualifying farmland and ranchland be taxed on what it produces rather than what it could sell for, which can cut the tax bill significantly.

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