Lost Pines GCD Passes Rules to Protect Local Wells and Strengthen Groundwater Management

The Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District (LPGCD or District) Board of Directors (Board) passed several amendments to its rules at its October 15, 2025 Board Meeting. These changes reinforce the District’s commitment to protecting groundwater in Bastrop and Lee Counties.

The District amended the permitting process for lower volume groundwater users as well. The General Manager may now approve, modify, or deny applications requesting up to 50 acre-feet of water per year, rather than sending each request to the Board. A permit holder may obtain up to two wells under this General Manager streamlined process, helping small producers save time and paperwork.

Another change keeps District rules consistent with House Bill 1633 (Gerdes), a new state law enacted by the Legislature during the 2025 Legislative Session. This law requires groundwater districts to consider how a proposed well might unreasonably affect nearby exempt wells. LPGCD’s updated rules now align with state law and add another layer of protection for all wells, permitted and exempt.

To give non-exempt well owners sufficient time to complete their projects, the District extended the deadline for completing a permitted well from 365 days to 545 days, with the option to request an additional extension if needed.

The District added a rule for voluntary permit surrender prior to expiration. Permitholders may do so by submitting a written request to the General Manager and paying any outstanding fees.

The District added a rule requiring landowners or drillers to visibly display their District-issued permit authorization at the drilling site from commencement to completion of drilling.This helps prevent unpermitted drilling, an issue the District recently encountered, and allows both staff and the public to easily verify that drilling is approved. Having accurate permit data helps the District make better management decisions and protect local aquifers for the future.

The Board approved a new Enforcement and Settlement Guidelines and Fee Schedule for violations. The schedule outlines possible settlement amounts for different enforcement matters.  Small matters, such as late reports or missed payments, carry smaller fines, while serious violations like groundwater waste, overproduction, or operating without a permit can result in higher penalties and daily fines. More complex cases will still go before the Board.

Finally, the District amended the procedure for rulemaking petition submission, petitions for new or amended rules must now be submitted between June 15 and July 15 each year. This consistent window makes it easier for residents to participate in the rulemaking process.

Together, these updates keep the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District’s rules consistent with state law and reflect the District’s ongoing commitment to sustainable groundwater management in Bastrop and Lee Counties.

For more information or to view the full list of rule changes, visit www.lostpineswater.org or call the District office at (512) 360-5088.

Scholarship for High School Seniors in Bastrop and Lee Counties

The Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District (LPGCD) is pleased to announce a scholarship opportunity for high school seniors in Bastrop and Lee Counties. Students are invited to submit essays on one of the following topics:

Your Water Story: Share what water means to you personally. This could be a memory, tradition, or experience that shaped how you view water in your daily life and in your community.

Imagining the Future: Write a creative short story that shows why conserving water today is essential for the generations of tomorrow. You can set it in the near future, far future, or even create a fictional world where water plays a central role. Imagine the consequences if we don’t conserve our water, or the possibilities if we do.

Water and Community Resilience: Explore how your community depends on water and how it can adapt to challenges like population growth, climate change, or drought. What role can young people play in building a water-smart future?

The essay contest is open to all high school seniors who live or attend school in Bastrop and Lee Counties. Essays must be between 500 and 1,000 words in length and submitted in PDF format by November 22, 2025, to Claire Marks at cmarks@lostpineswater.org. Essays should be typed, double-spaced, and formatted in Times New Roman, 12-point font, with 1-inch margins on all sides. Each submission must include a cover page with the essay title, student’s name, school, contact email, and phone number. For all details go to http://bit.ly/3JRX34e 

The top three essays will be awarded scholarships, with the first-place winner receiving a $500 scholarship, second place a $300 scholarship, and third place a $200 scholarship. Winners will be announced on December 10, 2025, and recognized at the LPGCD Public Board Meeting on December 17, 2025.

LPGCD Launches Agricultural Flow Meter Program

With the help of a $50,000 matching grant from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District (LPGCD) is launching a new initiative to install flow meters on agricultural and irrigation wells across Bastrop and Lee Counties. These meters will provide producers with valuable data to monitor and reduce groundwater use, supporting both agricultural productivity and long-term aquifer health.

Irrigation accounts for nearly 70 percent of groundwater use in Texas, so this program has the potential for meaningful impact in our region. Similar programs in the Texas Panhandle have resulted in water savings of about 10 percent, and LPGCD hopes to achieve comparable, if not greater, results here. We are grateful to TWDB for investing in our communities and helping advance water sustainability in agriculture.

Did you know that agricultural wells producing up to 200 acre-feet per year are required to have meters? LPGCD is here to help! Through our new Agricultural Flow Meter Cost-Share Program, we purchase the meter, the producer installs the meter, then we provide reimbursement for installation costs. Together, we can track use, improve efficiency, and protect our aquifers.

When producers know how much water they’re using, they can plan smarter and save more water. Real data means smarter management for both agriculture and aquifers. Flow meters strengthen farms and sustain water for the future.

Interested in participating? Join our Agricultural Flow Meter Program today! Call (512) 360-5088 to learn more.