Plugging Abandoned Wells
Under Texas law, the landowners are responsible for plugging abandoned wells on their property and are liable for any groundwater contamination or injury that results from the wells.
Like other wells, an abandoned well is a direct channel from the ground surface to the aquifer below. Contaminants that enter the well move directly into the aquifer. If a concentrated chemical enters a well, it may move into the aquifer and threaten human health and the environment. It also puts other wells in the same aquifer at risk for contamination, particularly those on the same property or those close to the abandoned well.
Before you begin the process of plugging an abandoned well, notify the local groundwater conservation district. Some districts place restrictions on the type of well and depth of water in the well that a landowner may decommission. In some cases, you will need to hire a licensed water well driller or pump installer to seal and plug the abandoned well.
You are required to notify the Water Well Drillers Program of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation of your intent to plug the well and the method to be used. Also, send a copy of the state well-plugging form to the local groundwater conservation district.

For instructions on how to plug a well properly, see:
- Plugging Abandoned Water Wells, by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service at agrilifebookstore.org or at abandonedwell.tamu.edu
- Landowner’s Guide to Plugging Abandoned Water Wells, by the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee
- The Texas Groundwater Protection Committee
Water Well Drillers and Pump Installers
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) Commission manages and monitors the licensing of well drillers and those who install and repair water well pumps. Below is a list of drillers and pump installers within Bell County. For a complete list of licensed drillers and pump installers within the State of Texas, please visit TDLR’s website.
Cowen, David
TDLR License #: 52485
Address: 7783 FM 2484, Salado, Texas 76571
Phone: (254) 718-3852
Driller Designations: (W) – water well, (M) – monitoring well, (C) – closed loop geothermal well, (N) – injection well, (D) – dewatering well, and (A) – master well driller which includes all designations previously listed.
Pump Installer Designations: None
Glass, Frank
License #: 1313
Address: P.O. Box 673, Dripping Springs, Texas 78620
Phone: (512) 894-3535
Driller Designations: (W) – water well, (M) – monitoring well, (C) – closed loop geothermal well
Pump Installer Designation: (L) – windmills, hand pumps, and pump jacks, (P) – single phase pumps, and (K) – three phase pumps, (T) – line-shaft turbine pumps,
(I) – master water well pump installer which includes all designations previously listed.
Munoz, Juan
License #: 54176
Address: 506 Georgetown Rd, Lampasas, Texas 76550
Phone: (512) 564-0330
Driller Designations: (W) – water well.
Pump Installer Designation: (L) – windmills, hand pumps, and pump jacks, (P) – single phase pumps, and (K) – three phase pumps.
Lovelace, Tommy
License #: 4920
Address: 4997 Elm Grove Road, Belton, Texas 76513
Phone: (254) 939-5073
Driller Designations: (N) – injection well, (D) – dewatering well, and (A) – master well driller which includes all designations previously listed.
Pump Installer Designations: (L) – windmills, hand pumps, and pump jacks, (P) – single phase pumps, and (K) – three phase pumps
Ramm, Danny
License #: 4236
Address: 2855 Sand & Gravel Lane, Belton, Texas 76513
Phone: (254) 939-1588
Driller Designations: None
Pump Installer Designations: (L) – windmills, hand pumps, and pump jacks, (P) – single phase pumps, and (K) – three phase pumps
Stork, Bobby Wayne
License #: 2912
Address: 10121 N Interstate 35, Jarrell, Texas 76537
Phone: (512) 746-2171
Driller Designations: (W) – water well, (M) – monitoring well, (C) – closed loop geothermal well
Pump Installer Designation: (L) – windmills, hand pumps, and pump jacks, (P) – single phase pumps, and (K) – three phase pumps, (T) – line-shaft turbine pumps,
(I) – master water well pump installer which includes all designations previously listed.