Texas private well rules
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) runs the Water Well Drillers and Pump Installers program. A license is needed both to drill a water well and to install a pump on one.
Who licenses well work in Texas
Drillers are governed by Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1901 and pump installers by Chapter 1902, with TDLR rules in 16 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 76.
Sources: TDLR licenses drillers and pump installers; Governing law
Who may work on a well pump
Under the Occupations Code definition quoted by TCEQ, a person repairing or installing the pump on their own property for their own use is not an "installer" and needs no pump installer license.
Anyone else who installs or repairs well pumps is an installer and must hold a TDLR pump installer license. An expired license means they may not legally offer the service.
A licensed driller or pump installer may supervise only one unlicensed assistant at a time and must be on site whenever that assistant works.
Sources: Homeowner exemption for own pump; Paid pump work needs a licensed installer; Unlicensed helpers must be supervised on site
Does the state require well testing?
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, which runs the Texas Well Owner Network, advises that private water wells be tested every year.
The Texas Water Development Board points owners to commercial labs, some county health departments, some river authorities and the state health department (DSHS) for coliform bacteria testing.
Sources: Owner is responsible; annual testing advised; Where to get bacteria tests
Getting your water tested in Texas
The DSHS Laboratory in Austin tests drinking water samples for coliform bacteria and E. coli. Chemical testing is handled by its Environmental Sciences Branch.
Samples must be collected in sterile bottles supplied by the DSHS Laboratory, which can be picked up in Austin or ordered by phone, with a G-19 submission form for each sample.
Samples must reach the DSHS lab within 30 hours of collection, so plan collection and shipping accordingly.
DSHS says that if repeated tests suggest coliform contamination, the well should be disinfected.
Disinfecting a well
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension recommends shock chlorination when a household well is contaminated with bacteria, noting contamination can enter when the well is built or the pump is repaired.
AgriLife Extension says a well that has been flooded must be shock chlorinated before its water is used for drinking.
Sources: Shock chlorinate after installation or pump repair; Flooded wells must be shock chlorinated
Plugging an unused well
In Texas the landowner of record must plug an abandoned or deteriorated well or bring it into compliance.
A landowner may hire a licensed driller or pump installer, or plug a well on their own property following 16 TAC 76.104 and filing a State of Texas Plugging Report.
A plugging report must be submitted to TDLR within 30 days after the well is plugged, online or by mail, with a copy to the local groundwater conservation district if there is one.
Source: Landowner is responsible
Checking a contractor's license
TDLR keeps an online search of active licenses, including the "Water Well Drillers, Pump Installers" license type, to check a contractor before hiring.
Source: TDLR license search
Common questions
Does Texas require private well owners to test their water?
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, which runs the Texas Well Owner Network, advises that private water wells be tested every year.