Smart Well Use Under Kendall Drought Rules

Rely on a private well in Kendall County? Drought rules can change how, when, and how much water you can use. If you’re buying, selling, or living on acreage here, it pays to understand how local stages work and what “exempt” really means. In this guide, you’ll learn how Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District sets the rules, what to verify for a property well, and practical ways to stretch your supply without headaches. Let’s dive in.

Kendall County drought rules at a glance

Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District (CCGCD) is the primary local regulator for private wells in Kendall County. The district sets well registration, permitting for non-exempt wells, and drought response stages. For an overview of the district and programs, see the Cow Creek profile on the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts website. Learn more about Cow Creek GCD’s role.

Texas law gives groundwater districts their authority and explains exempt categories, such as most single-household domestic wells and many agricultural or livestock uses. “Exempt” does not mean “unregulated.” Districts can still require registration and spacing, and they can set limits for permitted users during drought. See Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code.

If you own or are purchasing a property with a well, confirm its status with CCGCD. Many domestic wells require registration even if they are exempt from permitting. Check well registration status and forms.

How drought stages affect private wells

CCGCD uses staged drought responses tied to aquifer monitoring and local conditions. The Hill Country has seen multi-year dry periods, including Stage 4 emergency restrictions in 2023, with stages adjusted as conditions changed. Read local coverage of Stage 4 restrictions and subsequent easing. To see water-level trends CCGCD tracks, review TWDB monitor well data. View a Kendall County monitor well record.

Typical drought restrictions that affect private wells include:

• Outdoor watering: Reduced schedules and percent-reduction targets. At higher stages, in-ground sprinkler use is often prohibited, with limited hand-watering allowed on assigned days and times. See example drought measures.
• Filling ponds and pools: Restrictions are common during higher stages.
• Permitted vs. exempt users: Permitted wells usually face mandatory reductions and reporting earlier. Exempt domestic wells may still have limits on outdoor watering methods and times during emergencies.

Always confirm the current stage with CCGCD before you quote rules or make plans. Stages can change quickly after rain.

What this means for your home or ranch

• Plan for hand-watering and drip rather than sprinklers during higher stages.
• Avoid filling pools, ponds, or large tanks unless allowed.
• If your well is permitted, track your meter, stay under limits, and file reports on time.
• Keep a simple log of your water use. It helps you hit voluntary reduction targets and shows good stewardship.

Smart well-use strategies that work here

Demand-side savings you can start now

• Upgrade irrigation controls. Weather-based or soil-moisture smart controllers and cycle-and-soak scheduling can cut outdoor use while keeping plants healthier. Get WaterSense tips.
• Switch to drip and mulch. Use drip lines for trees and beds, reduce turf where practical, and water deeply but less often. See Texas water-wise lawn guidance.
• Fix leaks and swap fixtures. A quick walk-through for leaks and low-flow fixtures can make percent reductions easier.

Supply-side resilience for drought years

• Capture rain. Boerne Utilities offers rebates, including credits for rain tanks and smart irrigation add-ons. Rain capture reduces stress on your well and often pays back quickly. Explore Boerne’s rebate program.
• Add storage. Right-size cisterns or rain barrels to your roof area, and use a booster pump for garden supply if needed. See practical watering tips.
• Consider graywater where allowed. Laundry or shower reuse for landscape irrigation can trim well demand. Confirm local plumbing rules first.

Technical and legal safeguards

• Meter and monitor. If your permit requires a meter, maintain it and report on time. Even for exempt wells, a simple meter helps verify conservation during emergencies. See a sample drought plan framework.
• Keep your records. Store driller’s logs, pump tests, water tests, and any permit or registration papers. Clean documentation supports value at resale.
• Know your options. Large planned uses on small tracts may be limited by district rules. Evaluate municipal connections early in planning. Read about local pumping limit discussions.

Buyers and sellers: your well checklist

• Confirm registration or permit. Ask the seller for proof and check with CCGCD. Start with the district’s registration page.
• Review well logs and capacity. Get the driller’s report and any metered production or pump test records to assess suitability for your intended use. Search TWDB well records.
• Test water quality. At minimum, test for total coliform/E. coli, nitrate, TDS, and pH. Annual testing is standard guidance. See CDC private well testing recommendations.
• Handle disclosures and contracts. Sellers complete the Texas Seller’s Disclosure Notice, including water source and known issues. Buyers can add contingencies for well testing, pump capacity confirmation, and permit status. Get the TREC disclosure form.
• Plan conservation upgrades. Smart controllers, drip conversion, mulch, and rainwater storage reduce risk of stage restrictions. Use WaterSense best practices and check local rebates. See Boerne Utilities rebates.

Stay informed: where to check stage and data

• District overview: Cow Creek GCD profile
• Aquifer trends: TWDB monitor well example
• Recent local drought news: Boerne Star coverage and stage changes
• Local incentives: Boerne Utilities conservation rebates

If you’re weighing a purchase or planning improvements on a Kendall County property with a well, we can help you navigate water rights, drought rules, and smart upgrades that protect value. Reach out to Fredericksburg Realty for local guidance grounded in Hill Country stewardship.

FAQs

What is Cow Creek GCD and how does it affect my well?

• Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District regulates wells in Kendall County by setting rules for registration, permitting for non-exempt wells, and staged drought responses; start with the district overview.

What is an “exempt” well under Texas law?

• Exempt wells generally serve domestic or livestock uses and are treated differently than permitted wells, but they often still require registration and must follow spacing and certain drought measures; see Texas Water Code Chapter 36 and this statutory example.

How do drought stages change irrigation for private well owners in Kendall County?

• Stages typically reduce watering days and may prohibit in-ground sprinkler use at higher levels, allowing limited hand-watering only; permitted wells can face mandatory reductions and reporting first, as seen in regional examples like this drought measures page.

What should I test before buying a home with a private well?

• Ask for driller logs and any pump test data, confirm registration or permit status, and test for total coliform/E. coli, nitrate, TDS, and pH following CDC guidance; check TWDB records for well information.

Are there local rebates to help with conservation upgrades near Boerne?

• Yes, Boerne Utilities offers rebates for rainwater tanks and irrigation efficiency upgrades that can reduce well demand; review the conservation rebate program.