Smith County Water Well Guide: Aquifers, Rules (2026)

Updated October 11, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change, so confirm with the agency listed before you start work.

Quick reference

Topic	What to know	Source
Aquifers	Carrizo-Wilcox, Queen City and Sparta	Texas Water Development Board
Main water quality issue	Iron. Queen City water tends to be acidic and high in iron.	TWDB Bulletin 6302, Report 327
Pump work license	TDLR Pump Installer (or Combination) license required to install or repair pumps for others. Owners working on their own well for their own use are exempt.	Tex. Occ. Code ch. 1902
Well log	Driller must give the owner a copy within 60 days of completing the work	Tex. Occ. Code 1901.251
Septic setbacks (new wells)	50 ft from a septic tank, 100 ft from a drain field or spray area, 150 ft from concentrated sources like livestock pens	16 TAC 76.100
Wellhead	Concrete slab at least 2 ft out and 4 in. thick, sloped away from the well; casing at least 12 in. above ground (or a pitless adapter)	16 TAC 76.100
Water testing	Bacteria every year, and whenever color, odor or taste changes	Texas Well Owner Network
Groundwater district	None yet in Smith County. A multi-county district was proposed in 2026.	TWDB; local news

Where does Smith County well water come from?

The Texas Water Development Board lists three aquifers in Smith County: the Carrizo-Wilcox, the Queen City and the Sparta. A 1963 state study of the county found domestic wells in all three, with many suburban Tyler wells drilled into the Sparta, and noted that domestic wells were commonly built with 4-inch casing and sand screens. A 1991 state report found that heavy pumping had lowered water levels in the Tyler area's deeper aquifer by 500 feet or more, and that the Queen City and Sparta rarely hold fresh water below about 600 to 700 feet.

Why is iron such a common problem?

The 1963 study described Queen City water as acidic with iron generally above 0.3 parts per million, corrosive if untreated and prone to staining fixtures. It also noted iron bacteria and equipment corrosion in small domestic wells. The 1991 report called the erratic occurrence of high iron concentrations the major water quality problem in the Tyler area. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension notes that iron and manganese cause taste, odor and color problems and are typically treated by aeration or chemical oxidation and filtration.

Who can work on my well pump?

Texas law says a person may not act as a pump installer without a license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. TDLR issues Pump Installer, Well Driller and Combination licenses, and applicants need two years of supervised experience. The law exempts people installing or repairing pumps on their own property for their own use. To check a company, use TDLR's license search and choose "Water Well Drillers, Pump Installers."

How far does a well need to be from a septic system?

Texas well construction standards require new wells to be at least 50 feet from watertight sewage collection facilities such as septic tanks, 100 feet from septic absorption fields and spray areas, 150 feet from concentrated contamination sources such as livestock yards and cemeteries, and 50 feet from property lines. Some of those distances can be reduced to 50 feet if the well is cemented to at least 100 feet deep.

What about abandoned wells?

The landowner is responsible for plugging an abandoned or deteriorated well. TDLR allows landowners to hire a licensed driller or pump installer, or to plug the well themselves under the state's plugging rules, and a plugging report is due within 30 days of the work.

Is there a groundwater district in Smith County?

Not yet. State tables list Smith County as having no groundwater conservation district. In June 2026, county commissioners voted to start forming a proposed 16-county Northeast Groundwater Conservation District, with legislative approval to be sought in 2027. Local officials said the district would focus on metering commercial users rather than personal or agricultural wells. This may change, so check for updates.

How should I protect my well in a freeze?

Winter Storm Uri brought Tyler its all-time record low on February 16, 2021, with temperatures below zero and roughly 7 to 9 inches of snow. Exposed pipes, pressure tanks and pump houses are the most vulnerable parts of a well system in that kind of cold. Insulate the well house and exposed lines, and keep the pump house above freezing during hard freezes. Tyler's climate is otherwise mild, averaging about 42 inches of rain a year.

How often should I test my water?

The Texas Well Owner Network recommends testing for bacteria every year and any time the water's color, odor or taste changes. Private wells aren't regulated like public water systems, so testing is the owner's job. If bacteria show up, a well professional can shock-chlorinate the well, and Texas A&M AgriLife publishes step-by-step instructions.

Common questions

Do I need a license to replace my own well pump in Texas?

No, if it's your own well on your own property for your own use. Anyone doing the work for someone else needs a TDLR pump installer license.

What aquifer does my Smith County well use?

Most likely the Carrizo-Wilcox, Queen City or Sparta. Your well log, if you have it, shows the depth and formation.

How far must a new well be from a septic tank in Texas?

At least 50 feet from the tank and 100 feet from the drain field or spray area under TDLR well construction standards.

Smith County water well guide (2026)