Borden County Has No Groundwater Conservation District — Well Rules Are Minimal

Most rural Borden County homes get their water from private wells. The county sits over the Ogallala Aquifer, which is the main source of freshwater across much of the Texas High Plains. Borden County is part of Groundwater Management Area 2. No local groundwater conservation district — a board that regulates well drilling — covers this county. That means you do not need a local permit to drill a new water well. Under Texas's rule of capture, landowners can generally pump groundwater from under their own land without a local permit. However, a licensed driller must still file a State of Texas Water Well Report.

Water levels in the Ogallala Aquifer have been dropping across much of the region for decades. The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) tracks water levels and publishes aquifer data in its Groundwater Data Viewer. Before buying land with a private well, ask for a well log. Consider having a licensed water well driller check current water levels and quality.

Water quality also varies. In parts of the Southern High Plains, dissolved solids can be high. Contact the TWDB or a licensed driller for data on wells in your area. If you plan to build and there is no public water service, you will also need a septic system. TCEQ — the state environmental agency — requires an OSSF permit (a septic permit) from the county or an authorized agent before you install any on-site sewage system.