Irrigation Efficiency Grants and Cost-Share Programs Offered by Texas Groundwater Conservation Districts
How GCDs Across the State Are Supporting Smarter Water Use and Agricultural Sustainability
Groundwater Conservation Districts (GCDs) in Texas can do far more than regulate wells. Many also create special programs that directly support farmers, landowners, and communities in conserving and using groundwater efficiently.
One of the most impactful types of programs offered across the state is the Irrigation Efficiency Grant or Cost-Share Program — designed to help agricultural producers modernize equipment, improve water-use efficiency, and reduce pumping costs.
These local programs reflect the GCD mission: to promote sustainable groundwater use while supporting productive agriculture and economic resilience in their regions.
🔹 Common Types of Irrigation Efficiency Programs
Across Texas, GCDs offer several categories of cost-share and grant support:
Equipment Cost-Share for Irrigation Hardware
These programs typically help farmers purchase or upgrade equipment such as:
Flow meters and telemetry systems
Pivot controllers and monitoring tools
Variable-frequency drives (VFDs) for pumps
Automated irrigation gates
On-farm weather stations
Irrigation System Improvements
Some districts and regional partnerships (often funded through TWDB Agricultural Water Conservation Grants) help fund:
Conversion from flood to drip or subsurface-drip irrigation
Canal piping or lining to reduce conveyance losses
Mainline piping and pump upgrades for energy efficiency
Soil Moisture & Precision Tools
Districts frequently fund:
Soil moisture probes with telemetry for real-time scheduling
On-farm data systems for water-use tracking
“Master irrigator” or demonstration programs that educate producers before cost-share eligibility
🔹 Concrete Texas Examples of Irrigation Efficiency Programs
Edwards Aquifer Authority – Irrigation Efficiency Improvement Grant Program
Purpose: Helps irrigation permit holders transition from older, less-efficient systems to modern, efficient technology and equipment.
Funding Source: The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) supported this program with a $300,000 Agricultural Water Conservation Grant (AWCG) to expand availability.
How It Works: The Edwards Aquifer Authority issues Requests for Applications (RFAs) for producers to apply for grants that offset equipment and system upgrade costs.
North Plains GCD – Irrigation Conservation Initiative
Purpose: Encourages producers to adopt soil moisture monitoring, pivot controls, telemetry, and on-farm weather stations.
Funding Source: Supported by TWDB Agricultural Conservation/Equipment Grants.
Program Notes: Producers often attend field days or training sessions before qualifying. The district also uses demonstration farms to show real-world water savings results.
Post Oak Savannah GCD (POSGCD) – Flow Meter Cost-Share Program
Purpose: Provides direct cost-share assistance for the installation of irrigation flow meters to improve measurement accuracy.
Funding Source: TWDB grant funds are used to offset part of the cost.
Program Example: POSGCD used a TWDB grant with a $30,000 portion dedicated to flow-meter installations across agricultural operations in Burleson and Milam Counties.
Coastal Bend GCD and Other County Districts – Flow-Meter Reimbursement Programs
Purpose: Reimburses landowners for a portion of flow-meter and installation costs.
Typical Terms: 50% reimbursement of total meter and installation costs, with caps around $600 for agricultural wells (based on historical forms).
Notes: These programs are straightforward, accessible, and encourage farmers to monitor groundwater use accurately while reducing waste.
Examples of Groundwater Monitoring Programs by Texas GCDs
Across Texas, many Groundwater Conservation Districts (GCDs) maintain detailed groundwater monitoring networks to track changes in aquifer levels and support science-based management decisions. For example, the Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District operates a network of wells across major and minor aquifers—including the Trinity, Ellenburger-San Saba, Marble Falls, and Hickory formations—collecting monthly water-level data and incorporating remote telemetry for near real-time tracking. The Rusk County GCD also monitors static water levels through a mix of manual and automatic recorders, compiling hydrographs that help establish Desired Future Conditions (DFCs) and refine groundwater models. Similarly, the North Texas GCD partners with landowners through its Well Monitoring Program, using pressure transducers, electric tapes, and data loggers to understand aquifer response to local pumping. In addition, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) coordinates a statewide cooperative observation well network—currently including over 270 automatic recorder wells in more than 115 counties—that collects continuous groundwater level data in collaboration with local districts. Together, these monitoring programs provide valuable long-term datasets that guide sustainable management, drought planning, and public transparency across Texas.
Texas Water Development Board – Agricultural Water Conservation Grants (AWCG)
Purpose: Provides state-level funding that many GCDs use to launch or expand irrigation cost-share programs.
Examples of Supported Districts: Edwards Aquifer Authority, North Plains GCD, Middle Pecos GCD, Post Oak Savannah GCD, and others.
How It Works: Local districts apply for TWDB AWCG grants, which can fund small on-farm projects or larger regional irrigation efficiency projects.
Aquifer Recharge and ASR/MAR Projects
Across Texas, several Groundwater Conservation Districts (GCDs) and state agencies are exploring Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) and Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) projects to improve drought resilience and water supply reliability. These projects involve capturing excess surface water—often during wet seasons—and storing it underground for future use.
For example, the Rolling Plains GCD began developing the first MAR facility of its kind in Texas, focusing on the Seymour Aquifer. Supported by a $250,000 grant from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), this project will evaluate recharge feasibility and design strategies to replenish local groundwater storage. The Middle Trinity GCD operates a “Recharge Enhancement” program that looks at artificial recharge through the reuse of treated surface or stormwater, helping offset declines caused by urbanization and reduced natural infiltration.
At the state level, the TWDB has funded several early feasibility studies under House Bill 721 to evaluate aquifer suitability for ASR and MAR—including work in the Victoria County GCD, Edwards Aquifer Authority, and Corpus Christi Aquifer Storage and Recovery Conservation District. Similarly, Prairielands GCD incorporated an aquifer recharge feasibility study into its long-range management plan to assess local ASR potential. Notably, a feasibility study was recently completed in a neighboring district near the Corpus Christi International Airport, identifying possible ASR locations in the region.
Research Partnerships with Texas Universities and GCDs
Many GCDs actively collaborate with universities and research organizations to advance groundwater science and policy. The Bluebonnet GCD and Texas A&M University (Dr. Hongbin Zhan, Department of Geology & Geophysics) are building three-dimensional aquifer models to better understand local hydrology and guide permitting decisions. The Blanco-Pedernales GCD, Colorado River Land Trust, and Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University study surface–groundwater interactions in the Cypress Creek watershed, informing watershed planning and conservation.
In West Texas, the Middle Pecos GCD and Texas State University are researching fair allocation models (“correlative allocations”) for sustainable pumping management. Sul Ross State University’s Water Research Center and multiple Trans-Pecos GCDs are also collaborating on water availability and recharge studies tailored to arid regions. Meanwhile, the Brazos Valley GCD partners with West Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University on water feasibility and recharge studies to inform regional management and conservation decisions.
Water Well Education and Public Outreach
Groundwater education remains one of the most important outreach functions of GCDs statewide. The Central Texas GCD provides extensive online resources for well owners, including rule guidance, well maps, and links to the Texas Well Owner Network (TWON). The Rusk County GCD and Prairielands GCD offer educational materials on well construction, maintenance, plugging, and contamination prevention. The Post Oak Savannah GCD (POSGCD) provides well maintenance workshops and partners with TWON for hands-on training sessions.
The Upper Trinity GCD even offers specialized courses for realtors and title agents—“Groundwater and Wells: What Realtors Should Know”—to help property professionals educate clients on well ownership and aquifer issues. The statewide Texas Well Owner Network, operated by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in partnership with GCDs, offers two major programs: Well Informed and Well Educated, both of which help participants test, interpret, and maintain their private well water quality.
Together, these education, recharge, and research initiatives show how local districts across Texas use science, community partnerships, and innovation to promote responsible groundwater management.
🔹 Typical Cost-Share Program Mechanics
Across the state, most programs share a similar framework:
Match Rate: 50% cost-share is common for equipment purchases like flow meters, probes, or telemetry systems.
Funding Caps: Smaller items may have caps of several hundred to a few thousand dollars; large infrastructure projects (like canal piping or flood-to-drip conversions) may reach $10,000–$250,000+ via TWDB-backed projects.
Eligibility: Typically limited to irrigators, permit holders, or landowners within the district’s jurisdiction.
Requirements: Applications, proof of installation, and in some cases, participation in a training or demonstration event.
Reporting: Projects supported by TWDB grants often require reporting on estimated water savings to document measurable conservation outcomes.
🌾 Why These Programs Matter
Irrigation efficiency programs strengthen Texas agriculture by:
Helping producers reduce energy and water costs;
Improving groundwater data accuracy through flow metering;
Supporting conservation planning without restricting production;
Building long-term drought resilience; and
Promoting collaboration between landowners, local districts, and state agencies.
By investing in conservation technology, GCDs empower local producers to be proactive stewards of groundwater—protecting both livelihoods and aquifer health for future generations.
Texas Groundwater Conservation District Educational Resources
Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) – Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR), Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR), and Agricultural Water Conservation Program data.
https://www.twdb.texas.gov
Texas Groundwater Conservation Districts (GCDs) – Educational, conservation, and research program examples.
(Including, but not limited to):Bluebonnet GCD
Blanco-Pedernales GCD
Brazos Valley GCD
Central Texas GCD
Coastal Bend GCD
Edwards Aquifer Authority
Gateway GCD
Lost Pines GCD
Middle Pecos GCD
Middle Trinity GCD
North Plains GCD
North Texas GCD
Post Oak Savannah GCD
Prairielands GCD
Rolling Plains GCD
Rusk County GCD
Upper Trinity GCD
Victoria County GCD
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Texas Well Owner Network (TWON) educational materials.
https://twon.tamu.eduMeadows Center for Water and the Environment – Texas State University – Groundwater-surface water research partnerships and educational programs.
https://www.meadowscenter.txst.eduSul Ross State University – Borderlands Research Institute – West Texas Water Research Center and GCD partnerships.
https://bri.sulross.edu
