Texas Water Well Statistics 2026: 52 Facts & Data You Need to Know
Texas Water Well Overview
Texas has more water wells than any other state in the nation. The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) maintains one of the most comprehensive groundwater databases in the United States, with detailed records on well construction, water levels, and water quality.
Source: Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), 2025
Well Database Statistics
| Database | Records | Description |
|---|---|---|
| TWDB Groundwater Database | 141,000+ | Characterized sites with detailed data |
| Submitted Driller Reports (SDR) | 800,000+ | Well logs from 2002-present |
| TCEQ Water Well Viewer | 800,000 | Scanned driller logs (1962-2002) |
| Public Water Supply Wells | 17,900 | Active PWS wells (TCEQ) |
Key Texas Well Facts
- 4.5 million Texans rely on private wells for drinking water (USGS, 2024)
- 15% of Texas population uses private well water
- Groundwater provides 55% of the 14.7 million acre-feet used annually in Texas
- 9 major aquifers and 22 minor aquifers identified
- 254 counties with active well drilling
- 101 Groundwater Conservation Districts manage local groundwater
- 45,000+ new wells drilled annually
- 2,800+ licensed well drillers (TDLR)
Major Texas Aquifers
Source: Texas Water Development Board
Major Aquifer Statistics
| Aquifer | Area (sq mi) | Annual Use (AF) | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ogallala | 35,450 | 4,500,000 | Irrigation (95%) |
| Gulf Coast | 41,880 | 1,200,000 | Municipal/Industrial |
| Edwards (BFZ) | 4,350 | 450,000 | Municipal (San Antonio) |
| Carrizo-Wilcox | 11,280 | 400,000 | Irrigation/Municipal |
| Trinity | 21,390 | 180,000 | Municipal (DFW area) |
| Edwards-Trinity Plateau | 35,540 | 145,000 | Irrigation/Livestock |
| Seymour | 3,450 | 200,000 | Irrigation |
| Hueco-Mesilla Bolsons | 1,780 | 150,000 | Municipal (El Paso) |
| Pecos Valley Alluvium | 2,980 | 275,000 | Irrigation |
Ogallala Aquifer
- Coverage: Texas Panhandle (35,450 sq mi)
- Average depth to water: 150-300 feet
- Well depths: 200-500 feet typical
- Water level decline: 1-3 feet/year in many areas
- Recharge rate: Very low (0.5-1 inch/year)
- Status: Declining; estimated 50-100 years remaining in some areas
Edwards Aquifer (Balcones Fault Zone)
- Coverage: Central Texas Hill Country
- Serves: 2+ million people including San Antonio
- Average depth: 400-800 feet
- Recharge: Excellent in recharge zone
- Regulation: Edwards Aquifer Authority manages pumping limits
- Unique: Home to endangered species (Texas blind salamander)
Gulf Coast Aquifer
- Coverage: Houston to Rio Grande Valley
- Average depth: 200-1,000+ feet
- Issue: Subsidence in Houston area due to over-pumping
- Water quality: Generally good; some saltwater intrusion near coast
- Recovery: Houston area seeing water level recovery due to surface water substitution
Wells by Texas Region
| Region | Estimated Wells | Primary Aquifer | Avg Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panhandle (High Plains) | 165,000 | Ogallala | 280 ft |
| North Central (DFW) | 245,000 | Trinity | 450 ft |
| Central (Austin/Hill Country) | 185,000 | Edwards/Trinity | 520 ft |
| South Central (San Antonio) | 125,000 | Edwards (BFZ) | 580 ft |
| Gulf Coast (Houston) | 285,000 | Gulf Coast | 380 ft |
| East Texas | 195,000 | Carrizo-Wilcox | 265 ft |
| South Texas/Valley | 155,000 | Gulf Coast | 320 ft |
| West Texas (El Paso) | 85,000 | Hueco-Mesilla | 425 ft |
| Trans-Pecos | 45,000 | Edwards-Trinity | 480 ft |
| Rolling Plains | 95,000 | Seymour | 185 ft |
Groundwater Use Statistics
Source: TWDB 2020 Water Use Survey
Groundwater Use by Sector
| Sector | Annual Use (AF) | % of GW Total |
|---|---|---|
| Irrigation | 5,670,000 | 70% |
| Municipal | 1,458,000 | 18% |
| Manufacturing | 486,000 | 6% |
| Mining | 324,000 | 4% |
| Livestock | 162,000 | 2% |
Groundwater Trends
- Ogallala: Declining 1-3 ft/year; 13.7 million AF decline since 1950s
- Gulf Coast (Houston): Recovering due to Harris-Galveston Subsidence District regulations
- Edwards: Fluctuates with drought; springs flow monitored
- Carrizo-Wilcox: Stable to slightly declining
Well Depth Statistics
Source: TWDB Submitted Driller Reports
Well Depths by Aquifer
| Aquifer | Domestic Avg | Irrigation Avg | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ogallala | 280 ft | 350 ft | 150-500 ft |
| Gulf Coast | 380 ft | 500 ft | 100-1,200 ft |
| Edwards (BFZ) | 580 ft | N/A | 300-1,000 ft |
| Carrizo-Wilcox | 265 ft | 400 ft | 100-800 ft |
| Trinity | 450 ft | 600 ft | 200-1,500 ft |
| Edwards-Trinity Plateau | 385 ft | 450 ft | 150-700 ft |
| Seymour | 185 ft | 220 ft | 50-350 ft |
Well Drilling Costs (2026)
Source: Texas Ground Water Association
Texas has some of the lowest well drilling costs in the nation due to generally favorable geology, competitive contractor market, and lower average depths compared to western states.
Drilling Costs by Region
| Region | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Texas | $6,000 | $10,000 | $18,000 |
| Gulf Coast | $8,000 | $14,000 | $28,000 |
| Panhandle | $7,000 | $12,000 | $22,000 |
| North Texas (DFW) | $12,000 | $18,000 | $35,000 |
| Central Texas | $15,000 | $25,000 | $45,000 |
| Hill Country | $18,000 | $30,000 | $55,000 |
| South Texas | $8,000 | $15,000 | $28,000 |
| West Texas | $12,000 | $20,000 | $38,000 |
Cost per Foot
- Sand/unconsolidated: $12-25/foot
- Clay/shale: $15-30/foot
- Limestone: $25-45/foot
- Hard rock (granite, Edwards): $35-60/foot
Water Quality Statistics
Source: TCEQ, USGS NAWQA Program
Common Water Quality Issues
| Parameter | % Affected | Common Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness (>180 mg/L) | 65% | Central Texas, Hill Country |
| TDS (>500 mg/L) | 35% | Statewide |
| Nitrate (>5 mg/L) | 12% | Agricultural areas |
| Arsenic (>10 ppb) | 8% | West Texas, Southern Ogallala |
| Fluoride (>2 mg/L) | 6% | Various locations |
| Bacteria (coliform) | 15% | Shallow wells, flood-prone areas |
📊 Data Sources & Methodology
- Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) - Groundwater Database, water use surveys
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) - Driller reports
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) - PWS well data, water quality
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) - Texas Water Science Center
- Texas Ground Water Association - Industry data
Last Updated: February 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many water wells are in Texas?
Texas has approximately 1.75 million water wells drilled since 1900, making it the state with the most wells in the United States. The TWDB maintains detailed records on over 141,000 characterized sites.
What is the average well depth in Texas?
The average residential well depth in Texas is 250-400 feet. Edwards Aquifer wells average 400-800 feet, Ogallala wells 150-400 feet, and Gulf Coast wells 100-500 feet.
How much does it cost to drill a well in Texas?
A complete residential well system in Texas costs $8,000-$25,000, making Texas one of the most affordable states. Hill Country/Edwards Aquifer areas are most expensive due to hard rock drilling.
What percentage of Texans use well water?
Approximately 4.5 million Texans (15%) rely on private wells. Texas has more private well users than any other state.
What are Texas's major aquifers?
Texas has 9 major aquifers: Ogallala, Gulf Coast, Edwards (BFZ), Carrizo-Wilcox, Trinity, Edwards-Trinity Plateau, Seymour, Hueco-Mesilla Bolsons, and Pecos Valley. These supply about 97% of groundwater used.
Need Well Service Information?
Southern California Well Service serves San Diego and Riverside Counties. For Texas service, contact the Texas Ground Water Association at (512) 472-7437.
California service: (760) 440-8520
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