Water Wells and the Ogallala Aquifer in Terry County

Brownfield is the office stop for this. SPUWCD began with the same boundaries as Terry County, then added about 1,200 acres in Hockley County. The district office is at 802 Tahoka Road.

For a new well, ask whether the job needs a registration or a permit. SPUWCD says a new well under 25,000 gallons per day, or 17.4 gallons per minute, is generally exempt from permitting. The owner still has to register it before drilling.

More pumping means a permit. The district's permit sheet asks for the block and section, the driller name, the proposed well location, and the production of nearby wells. Permitted wells also face spacing and production limits.

The Ogallala piece is the long view. TWDB says some Texas areas of the Ogallala have seen water-level declines of more than 300 feet over the last 50 to 60 years. On raw land, ask for well reports and nearby water-level data before you count on a well staying strong.