Texas Water Matters


	Groundwater GMAs and Desired Future Conditions GMA Frequently Asked Questions Special Topic: Interconnectivity

Groundwater

Texas' guiding principle for groundwater management is the rule of capture. Adopted in 1904, this rule gives the landowner the right to capture an unlimited amount of groundwater by tapping into the underlying aquifer. This is why the rule of capture is often referred to as the law of the biggest pump. By relying on the rule of capture, our historical approach has been to limit all public control of groundwater. This practice seems to work best when neighboring landowners are withdrawing similar amounts of water or they are not affecting each other's ability to withdraw "their" groundwater.

Topics

Groundwater Conservation Districts

Groundwater Management Area Process

Additional Resources

Groundwater Conservation Districts
Groundwater districts, which have been Texas' preferred management tool for groundwater resources since the 1950's, have the ability to modify the rule of capture slightly. They have the authority to regulate spacing and production of wells to ensure the availability of groundwater within the district's boundaries and they can deny a permit to withdraw groundwater based on the effect it may have on aquifer conditions. The districts can require a permit amendment and charge a fee for an export, but they cannot deny the permit based on the groundwater's destination and they cannot adopt rules to limit exports.

As of August 2012, there were 99 groundwater districts in Texas covering all or part of 144 counties. Click here to see if your property is located within a district. Contact information for the districts is available through the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts.

Groundwater Management Area Process
The state is currently divided into 16 groundwater management areas (see map). Groundwater conservation districts within each GMA are required to define 'desired future conditions' for the groundwater resources within the GMA. These desired future conditions are a quantifiable management goal such as an aquifer level, a particular level of water quality, a volume of springflow, etc.

Based on the chosen desired future condition, the Texas Water Development Board determines how much groundwater is available (termed 'managed available groundwater') for withdrawal. These volumes in turn become the permitting targets for the groundwater districts and will be used in the state's regional water planning process.

Read more about GMAs and GCDs or review our GMA frequently asked questions.

Additional Resources

Texas Water at Texas A&M; University
Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts
TWDB Groundwater Resources Division
Down to the Last Drop, 2009 Update: Spotlight on Groundwater Management in Texas, Environmental Defense Fund, 2009
Myths and Facts About Groundwater Marketing, Environmental Defense, 2007
Update to the Spotlight on Groundwater Districts, Environmental Defense, 2005
Spotlight on Groundwater Conservation Districts in Texas, Environmental Defense, 2003
Questions about Groundwater Conservation Districts in Texas, TWRI, 2002
Look Before You Lease, Texas Real Estate Center, 2002
Issue Paper on Brackish Groundwater Desalination (2009)
Issue Paper on Brush Management (2009)


		Concerned About Water? To find out how you can get involved in water issues in your area, email or call us at 512-476-9805. Here are just a few things you can do. Add your organization or local government to the growing list of those endorsing the Principles for Protecting Texas' Water Resources Find Out More


		sustainability


		Who owns groundwater in the aquifer? San Antonio Express News, 2/18/10 Read Article Development limits proposed San Antonio Express News, 2/10/10 Read Article Troubled Waters: Conservation Keeps Water Running News 8 Austin , 11/19/09 Read Article Troubled Waters: Bad News Travels Near and Far News 8 Austin , 11/19/09 Read Article Troubled Waters: Security of Supply Saturates Perception News 8 Austin , 11/17/09 Read Article Troubled Waters: Texas Rice Farmer Takes on Water Wars News 8 Austin , 11/16/09 Read Article Troubled Waters: Regional Cooperation Drying Out News 8 Austin , 11/16/09 Read Article Verdict still out on GMA 9 measurement tool Kerrville County Daily Times, 11/11/09 Read Article Rule of capture hurts Trinity Aquifer New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung, 11/06/09 Read Article The reality of drought Lake Travis View, 8/18/09 Read Article Water Supply Drying Up: It's not just about the drought Blanco County News, 8/12/09 Read Article Duval County gets Groundwater District Alice Echo-News Journal, 7/27/09 Read Article Barton and Onion creeks in trouble KXAN.com, 7/22/09 Read Article County Links Determine Water Rights KSAT.com, 7/14/09 Read Article New study of San Marcos Springs begins News 8 Austin, 7/14/09 Read Article States digging deep to monitor water El Paso Times, 7/5/09 Read Article Groundwater districts are a wellspring of controversy in rural counties Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 03/12/2009 Read Article WATER: Texas' oversight of groundwater supplies needs improvement E&E; Western reporter, 03/12/2009 Read Article Drying on the Vine, Water shortage forces family farms into survival mode The Austin Chronicle, 11/20/2008 Read Article Too Many Straws in the Well The Austin Chronicle, 11/20/2008 Read Article Jacob's Well Stops Flowing Press Release, 10/27/2008 Read Article Groundwater group makes recommendations that would lower aquifer levels Clifton Record, 10/08/2008 Read Article Not enough water for growing population The Boerne Star, 9/30/08 Read Article Water committee to meet Sept. 16 Gainesville Daily Register, 9/10/2008 Read Article Water district hopes to set new rules for water usage Houston Chronicle, 9/10/2008 Read Article Facing a water 'calamity' Boerne Star, June 2008 Read Article Hope for springs may not be eternal San Antonio Express-News, 4/13/2008 Read Article New water facts revealed The Gonzales Inquirer, 4//2008 Read Article Who�s watching your water?, Proposed groundwater conservation district on Lavaca ballot Victoria Advocate, 3/19/2008 Read Article Groundwater districts' local control challenged in courts The Cameron Herald, 12/28/2007 Read Article Company will bottle water from area wells Athens Review, 12/26/2007 Read Article