Lavaca County has no local groundwater district, and here is what that means

Many Texas counties have a groundwater conservation district. That district requires permits before you drill a water well. Lavaca County does not have an active, operating groundwater conservation district. The Texas Legislature created one on paper in 2007, but it was never confirmed by a voter election, so it has no staff, no office, and issues no permits. The county is part of Groundwater Management Area 15 (GMA 15). Without an active local district, there is no extra local permit step for most wells.

State rules still apply. Private wells must meet standards set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, known as TCEQ. TCEQ sets rules for how a well is built and how far it must sit from septic systems and other hazards. If you buy rural land and plan to use a well for water, get it tested before you close on the property. The Texas Water Development Board keeps the GMA 15 information page with details on the area.