Published: June 15, 2009 04:56 pm      

Deadline near for water well registration

SPRINGTOWN — The July 1 deadline to register an existing water well with the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District is fast approaching, but district officials report cooperation from the major users of groundwater.

When the district implemented its temporary rules Jan. 1, a six-month grace period was given to allow businesses, individuals and governmental entities opportunity to gather information and register their non-exempt wells. The Upper Trinity district encompasses Montague, Hood, Parker and Wise counties.

Non-exempt wells refer primarily to wells that provide water for commercial purposes such as a municipal water system or energy drilling. These wells also have a much higher production capacity than a well that is primarily for domestic use.

On June 1, letters were sent to individuals, companies and cities affected by the July 1 deadline. Another release is being prepared to be put out in public spaces and possibly direct mail.

Bob Patterson, general manager of the groundwater district, said registration is going well.

“We are getting very good cooperation from the oil and gas entities, which are the number one user of water,” Patterson said. “We are getting fair cooperation from individuals involved in water sales.”

For the municipal entities, which Patterson said are the number two water users, it is “going much better than expected” as “almost all” of the small communities using groundwater are registered. That includes the City of Saint Jo, which has registered their wells and are cooperating with the program said the manager.

In 2008, when the temporary rules were being debated, many of the smaller communities balked at fees for the water used in their systems. The district’s board of directors made some changes to the rules, but these communities will still have to pay the fees.

Water suppliers and water system operators also will have to register their wells.

Failure to register, meter or submit groundwater or transportation reports within the required reporting period for each well mandated by the rules constitutes a major violation.

“We have people in each county who are helping contact landowners and those with water well sales so there will be no issue of a fine,” Patterson said. “We don’t want to impose fines on someone who just did not know, so there are a lot of efforts to make sure they are informed. You can never have everyone covered, but we are making strides.”

While registration of nonexempt wells is most pressing due to the deadline, voluntary registration of water wells also continues, albeit sporadically. Well registration for existing wells is free.

All “new” wells drilled on or after Jan. 1, 2009, must be registered with the district before drilling commences, regardless of whether the well qualifies for an exemption under the rules. Registration of such new wells is subject to payment of a $175 administrative fee and submission to the district of a refundable well report deposit prior to drilling.

Patterson explains voluntary registration was slow to get started because people did not understand the need.

“They were afraid of the different fees and so on,” said the general manager. “Once we got the information out that there is no fee and the reason for registration is to protect that well, it has been very good. We have gotten a big number of registrations.”

The temporary rules state well registration allows the district and its staff to develop a thorough, reliable understanding of well placement and well use patterns in the district.

Information about the temporary rules and district operations is available on the district Web site at www.uppertrinitygcd.com. Patterson adds the district staff is available to assist with any questions by calling (817) 523-5200.

The district’s main office is located in Springtown at 446 E. Hwy. 199. Satellite offices are now in operation from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Tuesday in Hood County and every Friday in Montague County.

The Hood County office is at 201 W. Bridge St., annex building 2, while in Montague County, the office is in Bowie, 506 Pelham.