Well plugging is a critical process in Texas to ensure the safety of groundwater resources and prevent contamination of aquifers that serve communities across the state. Whether you have an abandoned well on your property, a well that has failed beyond repair, or a dry hole from an unsuccessful drilling attempt, proper plugging is not optional—it's required by Texas law. At 77 Water Well Inc., we provide licensed well plugging services that meet all Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requirements.
Why Well Plugging Matters
An unplugged or improperly plugged well creates a direct conduit from the surface to the aquifer. Surface water carrying fertilizers, pesticides, animal waste, and other contaminants can flow straight down the abandoned casing into the drinking water supply. This threatens not only your property but neighboring wells that share the same aquifer. In Texas, landowners are legally responsible for plugging abandoned wells on their property, and failure to do so can result in fines and liability.
When Plugging Is Required
Texas requires plugging when a well is no longer in use and won't be used again in the foreseeable future. This includes wells that have gone dry, wells with irreparable damage to the casing or screen, wells contaminated beyond cost-effective treatment, and wells that were drilled but never completed. Even wells that haven't been used in years but still have water should be plugged if you don't intend to restore them. A neglected inactive well is an accident waiting to happen.
The Plugging Process
Proper well plugging is more than just dumping concrete down the hole. TCEQ regulations specify the exact materials and methods required based on well depth, diameter, and construction. The process typically involves removing all pumps and equipment from the well, cleaning the casing of debris and sediment, filling the entire well with approved plugging material—usually cement grout or a combination of cement and bentonite clay—from the bottom to the surface, and cutting the casing below ground level and capping it permanently. The goal is to create a permanent, impermeable seal that prevents any vertical water movement.
Documentation and Compliance
After plugging, we submit the required paperwork to TCEQ, including a plugging report that documents the well location, depth, plugging materials used, and method. This protects you from future liability and proves compliance with state law. Keep copies of all plugging documentation with your property records.
If you have an abandoned or unused well on your property, call 77 Water Well Inc. at (281) 456-4556 for a plugging evaluation and estimate.