Water well permits in the Southwestern Travis County Groundwater Conservation District
Drilling a well in western Travis County, the Lake Travis and Bee Cave side of Austin? Here is how the authorization works, and how we handle it.
Western Travis County, the Lake Travis and Bee Cave side of the Austin area, is covered by the Southwestern Travis County Groundwater Conservation District (SWTCGCD). They manage the Trinity Aquifer west of the Bee Creek Fault. This is separate from the Barton Springs / Edwards district and from Travis County's own development rules.
Every new well here, even an exempt household well, needs an approved Well Drilling/Modification Authorization (WDA) before drilling. The WDA form doubles as your well registration, so there is no separate registration step. We apply for it and clear it before the rig arrives.
What you need to know
- Get an approved WDA before drilling. Every new well, including an exempt domestic well, needs an approved Well Drilling/Modification Authorization before drilling starts. The WDA also serves as your well registration.
- A single-household well is exempt with no minimum lot size. A well serving one household that cannot produce more than 10,000 gallons a day (about 7 gallons a minute) is exempt from production permitting, with no acreage minimum. A larger 25,000 gallon-a-day exemption applies on tracts over 10 acres.
- Budget about $500. The WDA application fee for a new exempt well is $500. Registration itself is free, and exempt wells pay no separate construction fee. Fees are due before drilling.
- No separate production permit for exempt wells. An operating or production authorization is only for non-exempt wells. Your exempt domestic well does not need one.
- The authorization is good for 6 months. If drilling has not started within six months, the WDA must be renewed. Your driller files the state well report with the district within 60 days of completion.
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Fast facts
- District: Southwestern Travis County GCD
- Covers: Western Travis County (Trinity)
- New well: Approved WDA before drilling
- WDA fee: $500 (registration is free)
- Drought (June 2026): On the Drought Monitor scale (Extreme as last seen); new exempt wells may still be drilled.
District office: 512-276-2875
We handle the paperworkCall (830) 816-3232We file your district paperwork for you
Registering a well with the Southwestern Travis County Groundwater Conservation District before drilling is part of how we do every job in Travis County. You drill once and you drill it right, on the record, the way the rules require.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to drill a well in western Travis County?
You need an approved Well Drilling/Modification Authorization (WDA) from the Southwestern Travis County Groundwater Conservation District before drilling, even for an exempt household well. The WDA doubles as your registration. A separate production permit is only for non-exempt wells. We apply for and clear the WDA for you.
How much does it cost?
The WDA application fee for a new exempt domestic well is $500. Registration is free and exempt wells pay no separate construction fee. All fees are due before drilling begins.
Is my home well exempt?
A well serving a single household that cannot produce more than 10,000 gallons a day (about 7 gallons a minute) is exempt from production permitting, with no minimum lot size. A 25,000 gallon-a-day exemption applies on tracts larger than 10 acres. Either way, you still need the WDA before drilling.
Can I still drill during a drought stage?
Yes. Even at the district's Extreme Drought stage, new wells for exempt uses may still be drilled; only new non-exempt permits are paused. Conservation targets for home wells are voluntary. We help you plan around the current stage.
Drilling a well in Travis County?
We know the SWTCGCD rules and we handle the registration. Reach out for a free, no-pressure quote.