Help Us Help You

Help us protect the groundwater that keeps our communities, farms, ranches, and businesses going.

If you have a water well on your property that has not yet been registered or permitted, we want to hear from you. If you have recently purchased property with a well or wells on it, contact us so we can change ownership over to you.

That may sound like a simple request, but it is an important part of protecting our groundwater for the future.

The District was created because the people of this area believed groundwater was important enough to deserve local protection. In 1982, local citizens petitioned the State of Texas to create the District. When the question went to the voters, 94% voted in favor of creating the District.

In other words, this District was created by the people who live here, to serve the people who live here.

And that's still our job.

Why does my well matter?

Groundwater doesn't recognize property lines. What one person pumps can affect the groundwater available to a neighbor, a farmer, a rancher, a business, or a community down the road.

That's why the District is required to look at the groundwater system as a whole and plan for its future. One of the tools we use is a Desired Future Condition, or DFC — a locally established goal for what we want our groundwater resources to look like in the future.

To manage groundwater responsibly and determine whether we're on track to meet those goals, we need good information about how much groundwater is being used.

Registration or permitting isn't about taking your water.

We know that people can be understandably cautious when they hear the words “register your well” or “get a permit.”

We're not asking you to give up your groundwater.

We're asking you to document the well you already have so that we can understand our groundwater resources and manage them responsibly.

In our District, many domestic and livestock wells are exempt from permitting, but we ask that those wells still be registered with us. Larger-use wells — such as irrigation, municipal, commercial, and industrial wells — generally require a permit when they exceed the applicable exemption.

That information helps us build a much more accurate picture of groundwater use across the District.

Think of it this way...

If we don't know where the wells are, what they're being used for, or how much water is being produced from permitted wells, we're trying to manage a groundwater system with pieces of the puzzle missing.

You can help us put those pieces together.

Your well information helps the District:

·         understand how groundwater is being used.

·         monitor changes in groundwater levels.

·         make better management decisions.

·         evaluate whether we're meeting our Desired Future Conditions.

·         plan for future water needs; and

·         protect the groundwater resource for the people who will need it years from now.

This is your groundwater District.

You don't have to live in a city to have a voice in how groundwater is managed. You don't have to be a large water user. And you don't have to wait until there's a problem.

If you have a well, let us know about it.

If your well is a domestic or livestock well that is exempt from permitting, register it with us.

If your well is a larger use well that requires a permit, make sure it is properly permitted.

The more complete our information is, the better we can do the job the people of this area asked us to do back in 1982.

We work for you. Help us protect what belongs to all of us.

 

Community Conservation Events Bring People Together

 

The District recently had the opportunity to be part of two community events that brought people together to learn, share ideas, and talk about conservation. Both events offered an opportunity for residents, local organizations, and agencies to connect, teach and learn.

On September 17, the second quarterly Conservation Conversations and Coffee, hosted by us and the McCulloch County Soil and Water Conservation District, brought approximately 40 people to Giddy Up Grind. John Davis, recipient of the 2022 Texas Rain Catcher Award, shared information about his rainwater harvesting system and the benefits of collecting and using rainwater. Jim West of Sunrise W Land and Cattle, LLC, talked about regenerative agriculture and incorporating conservation practices into farming and ranching. Attendees also heard about Menard's Bird City efforts and the importance of native plants from Linda Myers, Mark Wilson, and Karen Bishop of the Central Texas Master Gardeners.

The morning also provided an opportunity for local agencies and organizations to share updates. Presentations and discussions covered proposed 765-kV transmission lines, Farm Service Agency programs, NRCS resources for landowners, the Brady Creek Watershed Protection Plan, Central Texas Farm Credit services and groundwater conservation. The District provided an update on its role in protecting groundwater and encouraged residents to stay informed about groundwater and legislative issues.

On October 15, the District joined the City of Brady, McCulloch County AgriLife Extension, and the Central Texas Master Gardeners for Imagine a Day Without Water at the City of Brady Groundwater Treatment Plant. City of Brady Plant Supervisor Jaime Torres provided a fascinating look at how Brady's groundwater is treated, including the removal of naturally occurring radionuclides and iron. The discussion also highlighted the shortage of qualified water treatment operators across Texas and the career opportunities available in the water industry. Attendees learned about SETH, a free Texas AWWA water operator training program available through Texas high school career and vocational programs.

Hickory UWCD also donated a 50-gallon rain barrel, a 10-foot rain chain and two large packets of wildflower seeds from Native American Seed in Junction for drawings. Sheila Van Zant won the rain barrel, Carrie Ross received the rain chain, and Yvonne Laurenson and Bobby Baker each received a packet of wildflower seeds. Both events reinforced an important message: water and conservation are everyone's business. By learning more about our water resources, supporting local conservation efforts and working together, we can help protect Central Texas for the future.

 

POSTER CONTEST

Once again, we’re holding our annual Water Theme Poster Contest! The contest is open to all 4th- and 5th-grade students within the District. The top three posters will receive Walmart gift cards: 1st Place: $50; 2nd Place: $45; 3rd Place: $40. This year’s theme is “Well…What Are YOU Doing for Water Conservation?”

Every student received a copy of “Well...What’s All That Drilling About?” to inspire their posters.