Brazos Water District reports significant decrease in permitted well production for 2024

The Bryan City Council Workshop Meeting on April 8, 2025, focused on water management and well permits in Brazos County. Key discussions highlighted the total number of permitted wells and the impact of recent rule changes on water usage.

During the meeting, officials reported that there were eight permitted wells in the county for 2024, which included four agricultural, three industrial, and one dual-purpose well. This marked a significant decrease from over 200,000 acre-feet of water permitted in 2023 to 2,760 acre-feet in 2024. The reduction was attributed to new regulations that influenced the number of permits issued.

The council discussed the distribution of water usage across different aquifers, noting that the Brazos River alluvium was primarily used for agricultural purposes, while the Simsboro aquifer saw nearly 52,000 acre-feet of water production this year. The summer weather conditions were favorable, leading to less irrigation needed for crops and lawns compared to the previous year, which experienced extreme heat.

The meeting also addressed the breakdown of water usage by category, with municipal and rural water supplies accounting for the majority of consumption. The council emphasized the importance of understanding the number of exempt wells, which are used for domestic and livestock purposes and do not require metering. There are currently about 5,000 such wells in the county, with many more potentially unregistered.

Officials urged residents to report any existing wells to help manage water resources effectively and protect property rights. The council noted that there are still thousands of unregistered wells in the area, which complicates water management efforts.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the ongoing challenges and strategies related to water management in Brazos County, emphasizing the need for community cooperation in identifying and registering wells to ensure sustainable water use.