Once your new water well is successfully completed, your driller will hand you a document packed with numbers, technical terms, and geological data. In Texas, this official document is called the State of Texas Well Report, and it is filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
While it might look like a confusing sheet of industry jargon, this report is the most valuable piece of paper you own regarding your property’s infrastructure. It is essentially a birth certificate and medical chart for your water supply.
Here are the key sections every Texas landowner needs to look at to truly understand their water well report.
1. The Lithology Log (What’s Down There)
This section is a chronological diary of what the driller encountered as they dug deeper into your land. It will list materials like “0–10 ft: Red clay,” “10–80 ft: Fine sand,” or “80–120 ft: Coarse gravel.”
Why it matters: This log shows you exactly which geological formations are feeding your water supply. If you ever need to deepen your well in the future or notice changes in your water, future technicians will look at this log first to see what kind of earth they are dealing with.
2. Static Water Level vs. Pumping Level
You will see two distinct water level measurements recorded in feet from the ground surface:
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Static Water Level: This is the natural level of the water in the well when the pump is completely turned off and the aquifer is at rest.
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Pumping Water Level: This is the depth the water drops down to while the pump is actively running at its maximum capacity.
Why it matters: The difference between these two numbers tells you how easily water travels through the ground into your well. Tracking your static water level over the years is the best way to monitor the long-term health and capacity of your local aquifer.
3. Yield (GPM) and Drawdown
The Yield is measured in GPM, or Gallons Per Minute. It represents the maximum amount of water the well can continuously produce. Drawdown is the physical distance the water level drops while pumping.
Why it matters: Your yield determines what your well can handle. A well producing 5 GPM is fine for light domestic household use, but an agricultural irrigation well or a commercial setup requires a significantly higher yield. Knowing this number prevents you from installing a pump that is too powerful, which would pump the well dry and damage the motor.
4. Well Construction and Casing Details
This area outlines the physical anatomy of your well—the exact diameter of the hole, the type of PVC or steel casing used, where the grout (cement sanitary seal) was poured, and where the slotted screens were placed.
Why it matters: This info is vital for any future maintenance. If your pump ever burns out, a pump technician needs to know the casing diameter and the screen depth to ensure they install the correct replacement pump at the safe operating depth.
Need expert insights for your next drilling project? At Aqua Tech Solutions, we combine state-of-the-art drilling equipment with deep geological expertise to deliver reliable water systems across Texas. Call us today or visit aquatechsol.com to schedule your next project or have our team review your existing well data!