This section lets certain nearby groundwater rights holders sue to stop or recover damages for illegal well drilling or operation, but they must first file a written complaint with the district.
Sec. 36.119. ILLEGAL DRILLING AND OPERATION OF WELL; CITIZEN SUIT. (a) Drilling or operating a well or wells without a required permit or producing groundwater in violation of a district rule adopted under Section 36.116(a)(2) is declared to be illegal, wasteful per se, and a nuisance. (b) Except as provided by this section, a landowner or other person who has a right to produce groundwater from land that is adjacent to the land on which a well or wells are drilled or operated without a required permit or permits or from which groundwater is produced in violation of a district rule adopted under Section 36.116(a)(2), or who owns or otherwise has a right to produce groundwater from land that lies within one-half mile of the well or wells, may sue the owner of the well or wells in a court of competent jurisdiction to restrain or enjoin the illegal drilling, operation, or both. The suit may be brought with or without the joinder of the district. (c) Except as provided by this section, the aggrieved party may also sue the owner of the well or wells for damages for injuries suffered by reason of the illegal operation or production and for other relief to which the party may be entitled. In a suit for damages against the owner of the well or wells, the existence of a well or wells drilled without a required permit or the operation of a well or wells in violation of a district rule adopted under Section 36.116(a)(2) is prima facie evidence of illegal drainage. (d) The suit may be brought in the county where the illegal well is located or in the county where all or part of the affected land is located. (e) The remedies provided by this section are cumulative of other remedies available to the individual or the district. (f) A suit brought under this section shall be advanced for trial and determined as expeditiously as possible. The court shall not grant a postponement or continuance, including a first motion, except for reasons considered imperative by the court. (g) Before filing a suit under Subsection (b) or (c), an aggrieved party must file a written complaint with the district having jurisdiction over the well or wells drilled or operated without a required permit or in violation of a district rule. The district shall investigate the complaint and, after notice and hearing and not later than the 90th day after the date the written complaint was received by the district, the district shall determine, based on the evidence presented at the hearing, whether a district rule has been violated. The aggrieved party may only file a suit under this section on or after the 91st day after the date the written complaint was received by the district. (h) Notwithstanding Subsection (g), an aggrieved party under Subsection (b) may sue a well owner or well driller in a court of competent jurisdiction to restrain or enjoin the drilling or completion of an illegal well after filing the written complaint with the district under Subsection (g) and without the need to wait for a hearing on the matter. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 933, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1321 (S.B. 1383), Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.