Please ask your state representative and state senator to support HB 4772 by Olcott.

PLEASE SUPPORT HB 4772 by Olcott

The bill would reduce groundwater production allowed under the domestic and

livestock use exemption, from 25,000 gallons per day to 10,000 gallons per day on

tracts less than or equal to 100 acres. It is reasonable to exempt groundwater

production from permits in recognition of a basic right to drill a well and produce water to

supply a home and water livestock free from regulation.

The current exemption, 36.117 water code, for livestock and domestic use water

wells, is allowing excessive production, which is contributing to the depletion of aquifers.

It is unfair that wells are being pumped dry by those watering large lawns, filling ponds

to enhance the landscape, or other unnecessary uses.

The current exemption allows production of 25,000 gallons per day for domestic

use, or watering livestock. This is more than eighty times the average household use, of

300 gallons per day. Most groundwater conservation districts require more than 10

acres for the exemption. However, even for 100 acres it is unlikely that 25,000 gallons

would be needed for watering livestock. Cattle consume approximately 15 gallons per

head per day. If there were 100 head of cattle, they would need approximately 1,500

gallons per day. 5,000 chickens drink around 1250 gallons per day, and 1,000 goats

drink around 4,000 gallons per day.

There seems to be no reasonable domestic, or livestock use requiring 25,000

gallons per day on less than 100 acres.

Texas is in crisis concerning the availability of groundwater. Groundwater

production was a factor in Las Moras Spring, Jacobs Well, portions of the Blanco, San

Saba, and Medina Rivers not flowing during 2023 and 2024. Groundwater production

was responsible for Jacobs Well and Las Moras Spring not flowing, in these years, as

they did not stop flowing during the drought of record in the 1950s when there was less

rainfall. Aquifer production rates in major aquifers in Texas are being questioned as to

whether they are sustainable.