Identify the source
Ask if water is public, a private well, shared system or other supply. Confirm service with the provider.
WATER & WELLS TEXAS LAND & RANCH
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Identify the source, available records and intended use before drawing conclusions.
Field guide · Texas landUseful questions.
Useful questions.
Confirmed at the source.
Identify the source, available records and intended use before drawing conclusions.
Find available records
Texas Water Development Board records can help locate reported wells. A record does not guarantee current condition, quality or production.
Test and assess
Ask a licensed well professional about inspection, yield, equipment, quality and maintenance history.
Check local rules
Confirm applicable requirements with the groundwater conservation district and qualified specialists.
Map well locations
Compare known wellheads with the survey, septic tank and drain field, property boundaries and areas that may flood. Ask qualified professionals and the local authority about parcel-specific requirements.
Request records for every well
Ask for available well reports, water-quality tests, inspection findings, maintenance history and treatment-equipment details. Check whether capped or plugged wells are present and how they were handled.
Match testing to the intended use
Ask a licensed water-well driller or pump installer about inspection and system condition. Arrange water-quality testing suited to the intended use; a reported well record alone does not confirm current supply.
Official research starting points
Follow the question to its source.
These public tools can help locate records and map information. They do not confirm a parcel’s condition, suitability, rights or current service. Check parcel-specific details with the responsible office and qualified professionals.
Texas Water Development Board · groundwater and well records ↗Texas Groundwater Protection Committee · Texas A&M AgriLife private-well buyer FAQ ↗FEMA Flood Map Service Center · official flood map source ↗USDA NRCS · Web Soil Survey ↗Texas Commission on Environmental Quality · septic system information ↗
Clear answers · Texas land
Common questions.
What should I ask about a private well when buying Texas land?
Ask how many wells are on the property, which uses they serve, where they are located, and whether capped or plugged wells are present. Request available well reports, water-quality results, inspection findings and maintenance records. Have a licensed water-well professional inspect the system and advise on testing for your intended use.
Should I check where a well sits relative to septic or flood areas?
Yes. Compare the well location with the survey, septic tank and drain field, property boundaries and areas that may flood. Ask a qualified professional and local authority about the parcel-specific requirements.
Does a reported well record confirm current water supply?
No. Records help locate reported wells but do not confirm present condition, yield, water quality or suitability for a particular use.
Who can evaluate a private well?
Ask a licensed water-well driller or pump installer about inspection, condition, equipment and yield; arrange water-quality testing suited to the intended use, and check local groundwater district requirements.