Water Code § 27.016

Sec. 27.016. INSPECTION OF WELL LOCATION. (a) On receiving an application for a permit, the executive director shall: (1) have an inspection made of the location of the proposed disposal well to determine the local conditions and the probable effect of the well; and (2) determine the requirements for the setting of casing, as provided in Sections 27.051, 27.055, and 27.056. (b) For a proposed Class I injection well, the executive director may satisfy the requirements of Subsection (a) by accepting an inspection report prepared by an engineer or geoscientist licensed in this state. The report must: (1) confirm that the engineer or geoscientist inspected the location of the proposed injection well to determine the local conditions and the probable effect of the well; and (2) state the engineer's or geoscientist's determination regarding the requirements for the setting of casing as required by Subsection (a)(2). (c) An engineer or geoscientist may conduct an inspection under Subsection (b)(1): (1) in person at the location of the proposed injection well; or (2) virtually through: (A) satellite or other aerial imagery; (B) mapping software; or (C) other appropriate information sources. (d) The executive director may require an engineer or geoscientist that submits a virtual inspection described by Subsection (c)(2) to conduct an additional in-person inspection if the initial visual inspection reveals an issue the executive director determines merits an in-person inspection. Amended by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2207, ch. 870, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977; Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 3161, ch. 830, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 1981. Amended by: Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 216 (H.B. 1238), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.