How SB 2440 Impacts Groundwater Availability

Recently, Westward had the opportunity to present an educational workshop to the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District (CCGCD) Board of Directors about Groundwater Availability Reports (GAR) for Platting. In January of this year, Senate Bill 2440 went into effect which requires a GAR to be prepared and submitted for all plat applications involving properties served by an onsite well.

Across the state, local governments moved to prepare and pass additional rules and guidance to supplement the requirements of SB 2440. In this new and often confusing regulatory landscape, wells may now be regulated by three or more overlapping authorities, each with their own unique criteria. For example, in Kendall County, a plat application for property to be served by a Public Water System (PWS) must perform a groundwater study that complies with the requirements of two sections of the Texas Administrative Code (30 TAC 230 & 30 TAC 290), the Kendall County Development Code, and the CCGCD. 

Westward is currently working with other groundwater conservations districts to help them navigate the new regulatory environment and inform better rule making. Please feel free to reach out to us if your group is interested in learning more about SB 2440 and Groundwater Availability Reports.