Exempt or Nonexempt

To determine whether a well will carry an exempt or nonexempt status, there are specific conditions that need to be met.  Factors that are considered in making this determination are: the year a well was drilled, the use type, the capacity of the well and pump, the acreage of land and the pertinent management zone.

Exempt Wells

Exempt wells do not require a permit and are not subject to curtailments during District declared drought.  However, all Exempt wells have to be registered with the District and they have to be drilled according to the District’s well construction standards. To register a new or existing Exempt well the property owner must complete a registration form. A well is considered exempt if it meets the exempt status criteria as identified below.

Certain types of specialized wells are also considered Exempt and those types of wells include: Scientific Monitor Wells, Remediation Wells, Injection Wells, Closed Loop Geothermal Wells, Dewatering Wells, and Oil and Gas Drilling and Exploration Water Wells. These wells do not have to meet the below criteria.

Nonexempt Wells

If a well does not meet the exempt status criteria then it is considered a nonexempt well for which a permit is required for groundwater withdrawal.  Generally, all nonexempt wells are required to have a meter installed and monthly meter readings are to be submitted to the District. Owners of a nonexempt well are subject to curtailments during drought restrictions and are required to have both a User Conservation Plan (UCP) and a User Drought Conservation Plan (UDCP) on file with the District. There are a various water use types associated with nonexempt wells. Factors such as location, pertinent aquifer management zone, and use type help to determine the appropriate permit type. Nonexempt wells require one or more of the following: a well drilling authorization, a production permit, or a transport permit.

Wells in the Fresh Edwards Management Zones are exempt if the following criteria are met:

For wells that were drilled before August 14th 2003, ONLY ONE of the following criteria must be met: Criteria: Well is solely used for domestic use and/or livestock use Criteria: Well is not capable of producing more than 7gpm (10,000 gpd/1hp) For wells that were drilled after August 14th 2003, ALL of the following criteria must be met: Criteria: Well is solely used for domestic use and/or livestock use Criteria: Well is not capable of producing more than 7gpm (10,000 gpd/1hp) Criteria: Well is located on a property that is 10 acres or more.

 

Wells in the Trinity Management Zones are exempt if the following conditions are met:

For wells that were drilled before July 16, 2015, ALL of the following criteria must be met: Criteria: Well is solely used for domestic use and/or livestock use Criteria: Well is not capable of producing more than 17gpm (25,000 gpd/2hp) For wells that were drilled after July 16, 2015, ALL of the of the following criteria must be met: Criteria: Well is solely used for domestic use and/or livestock use Criteria: Well is not capable of producing more than 7gpm (10,000 gpd/1hp) Criteria: Well is located on a property that is 10 acres or more.