Groundwater and Wells in Pecos County

The Pecos Valley Aquifer is a major West Texas aquifer. Its water can be hard, and quality changes from place to place. Some areas have high chloride and sulfate tied to older oilfield activity. Natural arsenic or radionuclides can also rise above drinking-water standards.

A clear-looking well is not the same as a safe well. Test a private well before you use it for drinking water, and keep the lab report with the house records. If the numbers come back high, treatment may be needed.

Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation District covers Pecos County. Its rules require wells to be registered. A nonexempt new well needs an approved drilling permit before drilling starts. Call the district before a rig is scheduled.