FAQs

Phone : (800) 256-0935 Fax: (903) 786-8211

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

In 2007, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) issued a report, which can be found here, designating thirteen counties in the North Texas area as a Priority Groundwater Management Area and recommended at least one groundwater conservation district be formed. This recommendation was considered by the State Office of Administrative Hearings after contestation by the water providers. The Administrative Law Judge ruled that a groundwater conservation district was required.
The Red River GCD was created by SB2529 in 2009 and has regulatory powers for groundwater in Fannin and Grayson Counties.

A mechanically driven, magnetic, or ultrasonic totalizing water meter is the only type of meter that may be installed on a well registered with the District unless an approval for another type of reliable meter or alternative measuring method is applied for and granted by the District. The totalizer must not be resettable by the registrant and must be capable of a maximum reading greater than the maximum expected annual pumpage. Battery operated registers must have a minimum five-year life expectancy and must be permanently hermetically sealed. Battery operated registers must visibly display the expiration date of the battery. All meters must meet the requirements for registration accuracy set forth in the American Water Works Association standards for cold-water meters. New meters must be able to measure instantaneous flow rate of the groundwater produced from the well

An exempt well is a well that is not capable of producing more than 17.36 gallons per minute. An exempt well is exempt from permitting and is not required to have a Historic Use Permit or Production Permit to withdraw water from an aquifer within the District. If you are unsure whether your well is exempt, please contact the District staff, we can assist.

A non-exempt well is a well capable of producing more than 17.36 gallons per minute.

A Historic Use Permit is a permit required by the District for a non-exempt well or well system that produced water during the Historic Use Period and that has not been abandoned.

The Historic Use Period is from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2018, in which water produced from a well or well system was put to beneficial use at any point during the duration of the period.

A Production Permit is a permit required by the District for a new, non-exempt well.

A Hydrogeological Report is a report required for new wells or well systems with a proposed aggregate production capacity of 200 gallons per minute or more. The Hydrogeological Report must meet all of the requirements outlined in the District’s Hydrogeological Report Requirements.

Information on wells can be obtained from your well driller or from the documentation from the sale of the property. You can also find information from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (www.license.state.tx.us), the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (www.tceq.state.tx.us), or the Texas Water Development Board (www.twdb.texas.gov).

Agricultural wells must be metered and the groundwater usage must be reported to the District monthly. However, Agricultural wells are not charged a production fee.

Non-exempt well owners are required to install meters on each well and report the amount of groundwater pumped each month to the District. Non-exempt wells, with the exception of agricultural wells, are be required to pay a production fee in the amount of $0.07 per 1,000 gallons.