Hill Country Underground Water Conservation District
Our Office will be closed Monday, March 3, 2026, in observance of Texas Independence Day.
March 17, 2026 next scheduled board meeting.
The cost for the bacteria test is $8.00 and we also test wells outside the District for a fee of $8.00. Samples are taken Monday through Thursday only. If a holiday falls within the week, the testing schedule could change so please call before bringing your sample in.
Bacteria samples must be received in the District office by 2:00 p.m.
Bacteria test requires a special sterilized container which is furnished by the District.
Please note there will be times no personnel will be in the office during normal business hours so to ensure personnel will be there, please feel free to call prior to bringing your sample in.
Committed to preserve, protect, and conserve the groundwater resources for all the current and future citizens of Gillespie County.
Hours & Contact Information
Public office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Please note there will be times when no personnel will be in the office during normal business hours, so it is advisable to call ahead to ensure someone will be in the office.
Contact Information
Office Number: 830.997.4472
Paul Babb, General Manager: cell phone #830.225.3169 * email address: pbabb@hcuwcd.org
Margaret Ratliff, Assistant General Manager: cell phone #325.248.4492 * email address: hcuwcd@austin.rr.com
Public Notices
Stage 4 Drought - Critical
The Board of Directors of the Hill Country Underground Water Conservation District (“District”) at their August 8, 2023 board meeting declared a Stage 4 Drought, which is Critical. The District recommends a 20% reduction in daily water demands, a 40% in maximum daily demands. The District encourages all permit holders, including historic wells, to comply. For residential wells the District recommends outdoor watering be limited to one day per week. During this prolonged drought, not only the citizens of Gillespie County, but throughout the Hill Country area need to conserve water. In addition to conservation measures, such as limiting outdoor watering to one day per week should be practiced, any water leaks should be repaired. Water conservation measures can reduce demand and help preserve existing groundwater supplies to ensure adequate groundwater is available through this current drought. We encourage everyone to participate to maximize success in this persistent drought to ensure we have groundwater not only today, but for future generations of this limited finite resource.
Drought Condition Alert
The Local Drought Index as of January 3, 2026 is -3.27, which is a severe drought stage. Outdoor watering should be limited to once a week, and all indoor and outdoor leaks should be fixed.
Gillespie County is named for Robert Addison Gillespie, who came to Texas in 1837. He was a Texas Ranger, an Indian fighter, a merchant, and a solider who died a hero at the 1846 Battle of Monterrey in the Mexican-American War. Gillespie County became a county in 1848 when the Legislature separated the area from Bexar and Travis Counties.
Gillespie County is located in west central Texas, approximately 70 miles west of Austin and approximately 65 miles northwest of San Antonio. It sits on the eastern edge of the Edwards Plateau, and south of the Llano uplift. Gillespie County comprises approximately 1,062 square miles or 679,700 acres.
Disclaimer
The information found in this website is compiled and made available as a public service by the Hill Country Underground Water Conservation District “District”. However, the District makes no warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for results obtained from the use of the information. Distribution of the information does not constitute such a warranty. Use of the information is the sole responsibility of the user.Links provided on this website are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the District of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual. The District bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links contained in the external site. Contact the external site for any answers to questions regarding the links content.