Water well permits in the Trinity Glen Rose Groundwater Conservation District
Drilling a well in northern Bexar County, around Helotes or the hills north of San Antonio? Here is how registration works, and how we handle it.
Northern Bexar County, over the Trinity Aquifer, is covered by the Trinity Glen Rose Groundwater Conservation District (TGRGCD), based in Helotes. They register and permit wells and protect the Trinity Group of aquifers in the fast-growing country north of San Antonio. Edwards Aquifer wells in the county answer instead to the Edwards Aquifer Authority.
Two things set this district apart. First, you file a Notice of Intent to Drill and get the district's approval before drilling. Second, the exemption bar is lower here: a well is exempt only if it sits on more than 10 acres and cannot produce more than 10,000 gallons a day, which is about 7 gallons a minute. Most homeowner lots fall outside that, so the district issues a registration with a pump-capacity limit tied to your tract size. We sort out exactly what applies.
What you need to know
- File a Notice of Intent before drilling. No well may be drilled until you file a Notice of Intent to Drill and the district approves it. Once approved, the well must be drilled within 30 feet of the spot on the form.
- Every well is registered, and registration is free. All wells, including exempt ones, are registered with the district at no charge.
- The exemption bar is lower here. A well is exempt only if it is on more than 10 acres and cannot produce more than 10,000 gallons a day (about 7 gallons a minute), with one exempt well per 10 acres.
- Smaller tracts get a capacity-limited registration. On 10 acres or less, your well is registered with a pump-capacity limit scaled to the tract, for example a 7 gallon-per-minute cap on lots under 5 acres.
- Budget for the drilling-authorization fee. Registration itself is free, but the Notice of Intent to Drill a new well carries a fee, most recently $750 for a standard new well. Domestic use is exempt from production fees. We confirm the fee tier for a single home well.
- The San Antonio Water System (SAWS) is part of the process. Under an agreement with the district, well permitting in and around San Antonio runs through SAWS, so a Trinity Glen Rose well is registered and reported to SAWS as well as the district. We file with both, so nothing is missed.
See all Hill Country districts · Permit or just registration? · Wells in Helotes
Fast facts
- District: Trinity Glen Rose GCD
- Also: Edwards Aquifer Authority (Edwards wells)
- Covers: Northern Bexar County (Trinity)
- Exempt well: Over 10 acres, under 10,000 gal/day
- Drought (June 2026): In Stage 3, with outdoor watering limits; check the current stage.
District office: (210) 698-1155
We handle the paperworkCall (830) 816-3232We file your district paperwork for you
Registering a well with the Trinity Glen Rose Groundwater Conservation District before drilling is part of how we do every job in Bexar 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 northern Bexar County?
You file a Notice of Intent to Drill with the Trinity Glen Rose Groundwater Conservation District and get its approval before drilling. A well is exempt from permitting only if it is on more than 10 acres and cannot produce more than 10,000 gallons a day; most homeowner lots instead get a registration with a pump-capacity limit. We handle whichever applies.
Why is the exemption only 10,000 gallons a day here?
Trinity Glen Rose sets a lower exemption threshold than most districts (10,000 gallons a day, about 7 gallons a minute, on more than 10 acres) to protect the Trinity Aquifer. On smaller tracts the district registers your well with a pump-capacity limit tied to your acreage rather than requiring a full permit.
What does it cost to drill a well in the Trinity Glen Rose district?
Registration itself is free, but the Notice of Intent to Drill a new well carries a fee, most recently $750 for a standard new well. Domestic wells are exempt from ongoing production fees. We confirm the exact fee for a single home well when we file.
Is the district in a drought stage?
The district was in an elevated drought stage in 2026, which limits outdoor irrigation. Stages change with conditions, so check the district's current stage before planning landscaping, and we can help you time the work.
Do I have to deal with SAWS too?
In and around San Antonio, well permitting here is handled through the San Antonio Water System under an agreement with the Trinity Glen Rose district, so your well is reported to SAWS as well as the district. We file the paperwork with both, so it is one less thing for you to track.
Drilling a well in Bexar County?
We know the TGRGCD rules and we handle the registration. Reach out for a free, no-pressure quote.