FAQs
What are the applications that people are concerned about?
There are two sets of applications that have been filed with the Trinity & Neches Valleys Groundwater District (the “District”). Each set seeks authorization to drill multiple water wells into the Carrizo/Wilcox aquifer and produce the water for unspecified purposes. The two sets are divided into the two counties where the wells would be located, as follows:
Anderson County: This set of applications was filed in the name of Redtown Ranch Holdings, LLC for 21 high-capacity groundwater wells that, if permitted and completed, could produce approximately 10.2 billion gallons of water per year from the Carrizo/Wilcox aquifer.
Henderson County: This set of applications was filed in the name of Pine Bliss, LLC for 22 high-capacity groundwater wells that, if permitted and completed, could produce approximately 5.2 billion gallons of water per year from the Carrizo/Wilcox and Queen City aquifers.
Houston County: The applications refer to 11 more groundwater wells to be located within Houston County. These wells are not located within the District, or any other groundwater conservation district, so there are no approvals required to be obtained from any government and production amounts are unknown.
Where will these wells be located?
The Redtown Ranch well field is proposed on an approximately 7,249-acre tract spanning southwestern Anderson County and northwestern Houston County. Of this, an estimated 5,480 acres lie within Anderson County and within the District, with remaining acreage extending into Houston County. The primary access address for the Anderson County portion is 712 Anderson County Road 117, Elkhart, Texas.
The Pine Bliss well field would be situated on an approximately 4,112-acre tract located at 8151 FM 315 South in Larue, Texas, within Henderson County and under the full jurisdiction of the District.
The Houston County wells are proposed within the southern portion of the Redtown Ranch property, lying directly adjacent to and just south of the Anderson-Houston County line on a tract that shares the same contiguous boundary but falls outside the District’s jurisdiction.
What does Carrizo/Wilcox Aquifer mean?
The Carrizo/Wilcox is designated as a major Texas aquifer and generally extends across Texas in an arch sweeping from Cotulla area southwest of San Antonio, then south of San Antonio through Gonzales County, then northerly through Lee County, through our area, and then northerly to an area east of Dallas.
Is the Carrizo/Wilcox Aquifer replenished?
Yes, from rainfall that falls on or across the aquifer’s sandy recharge zone and from water flowing in streams that cross the recharge zone. However, the estimated amount of water that replenishes the aquifer is less than the estimated total amount of water that is produced from wells located within the aquifer.
Does Consolidated Water Supply Corporation have wells located in the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer?
Yes. CWSC has 10 wells that produce water from the Carrizo - Wilcox which it supplies to its members. The closest CWSC wells are the Rockhill Well (known as Plant I) and the Beta well. They are approximately six to seven miles away from the wells shown to be located in Houston County and Anderson County. Despite the difference, the requested and stated production from the wells would, more likely than not, reduce the pressure within the aquifer and result in a lowering of the water level in the aquifer at the location of CWSC’s wells. Public water systems in Anderson and Henderson County also have wells that produce water from the Carrizo – Wilcox for their customers, as well as industrial and commercial users and farmers who use water from the aquifer for irrigation.
Does the Neches & Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District have a website with more information on these applications?
Yes, their website is www.ntvgcd.org. This website has a copy of the applications, the district’s rules, their management plan, notices of meetings by the district’s board of directors, and notices of hearings relating to these and other applications for permits.
What are the key dates to keep in mind?
The key date at this time is June 19, 2025, the next board meeting and deadline for persons to formally file contests to the applications. Affected individuals need to submit their concerns by 11:00 am on this date and request a contested case hearing or the applications will likely be granted. You may also attend this District meeting and sign-up to speak during public comment. The District will then schedule a meeting to determine when and how it will decide who will be designated as parties to this proceedings. Even though you timely filed a contest, you will still need to personally appear at this hearing.
What has previously occurred relating to applications?
CWSC was not notified by the applicant nor the District about the applications or the deadline to file contests. This information was provided to CWSC management by Houston county officials. CWSC has since learned that the applications were filed last year, but the District only recently decided that the applications were “administratively complete” and provided the only required notice in the Palestine Herald in late May. Fortunately, someone saw this notice and informed CWSC.
What actions can people take to be heard regarding these applications?
The most pressing action is to timely file a contest to the applications with the District describing how the wells may adversely impact you. You may do so by emailing the contest to manager@ntvgcd.org or submitting it by mail to
You may also want to attend District board meetings to voice your concerns during public comment. If you file a contest, you will need to appear at the meeting or hearing set by the District for determining who should be designated as parties.
When would other well owners see impacts form the applicants’ project?
Persons owning wells producing water from the Carrizo - Wilcox Aquifer could start seeing impact on their wells once production starts from the applicants’ project. Since there is no groundwater district within Houston County, the applicants could start, or may have already started drilling wells in Houston County. The anticipated drilling date in the application is September 2025 for wells in Anderson and Henderson Counties. CWSC understands that a three-phase electric line has been installed to power well pumps and other infrastructure.
Is there any local benefit for this project?
Since the applicants have not disclosed how they intend to use the water, CWSC cannot identify any benefits at this time. The improvements may, or may not, be subject to property taxes assessed by local governments.
Do the applicants’ have pipeline easements to supply the water outside of the tracts where the well is located?
CWSC is not aware of any recorded easements at this time, but a search has not been conducted.
What is the current population in this area?
In 2024, the US Census Bureau estimates that the current population of Houston County is 22,197; Anderson County is 59,512; and Henderson County is 87,467.
