Groundwater Availability Certification
Learn about groundwater availability rule changes that affect subdivision plat applicants within municipalities and counties and the certification forms that applicants need to submit.
Effective January 1, 2024, municipalities and counties must require certification of groundwater availability for proposed subdivisions when the groundwater beneath the land serves as the source of water supply. Previously, this certification was optional. To find the exemptions for this requirement, see Local Government Code Sections 212.0101(a-1) and 232.0032(a-1) under the Rules and Statutes heading below.
Required Certification Forms
- Certification Form: Groundwater Availability for Platting (TCEQ-20982)
- Plat Attesting Form (TCEQ-20983) - Plat applicants must use this form to attest that adequate groundwater is available.
Submitting Forms
Plat applicants must do both of the following:
- Submit the above forms to the municipal or county authority responsible for approving plats; and,
- Send copies of the forms and any required supporting information to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and the local Groundwater Conservation District (GCD) if there is one in the area of the proposed subdivision.
Who to Contact About Submitting Forms
- TWDB Contact:
GroundwaterData@twdb.texas.gov
Executive Administrator, Texas Water Development Board
Groundwater Resources Division
P.O. Box 13231
Austin, Texas 78711-3231
Supporting Information
- TWDB’s Groundwater Webpage – Find information on groundwater levels and quality, modeling, water well records, groundwater management plans, and desired future conditions of aquifers.
- Texas GCDs Viewer – Use this interactive map to find spatial information about GCDs.
Rules and Statutes
- 30 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 230
- Local Government Code Section 212.0101
- Local Government Code Section 232.0032
Rulemaking
The rule amendment was proposed in May 2024 and a public hearing and comment period followed. On November 20, 2024, TCEQ adopted the amended rules for groundwater availability certifications at 30 TAC Chapter 230 (Senate Bill (SB) 2440, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023).
The final rule and response to comments were published in the December 6, 2024 issue of the Texas Register (49 TexReg 9986-10003).
To find other associated documents, go to the TCEQ Commissioners' Integrated Database. (Enter the TCEQ Docket Number - 2023-1521-RUL - into Step Two of Search One and click on the blue Search button.)
For future rulemakings or questions, contact us at gpat@tceq.texas.gov.