East Texas Counties Form District to Protect Groundwater

More than a dozen East Texas counties are collaborating to establish a groundwater conservation district to regulate water usage and prevent depletion of the aquifer beneath their communities. Gregg County Commissioners recently approved a resolution joining the effort, which requires legislative approval in 2027.

Leaders in northeast Texas aim to protect local groundwater from being overused by outside entities, particularly cities like Dallas and San Antonio. The proposed Northeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District would implement regulations for water drilling and extraction permits.

Currently, the Region C Water Plan identifies East Texas counties without existing groundwater districts as prime locations for water extraction, proposing to pull up to 25,000 acre-feet from several counties and another 42,000 acre-feet from Anderson County. Attorney Brian Sledge is drafting legislation for the district, hoping to present it to Governor Greg Abbott with the support of local lawmakers.