Texas Groundwater Association
Affiliate of the National Ground Water Association
1st Quarter - Spring 2024
Convention Wrap up
TGWA 2024 Annual Convention Wrap up
TGWA was in San Marcos,
TX, from January 24-26 for
this year’s annual convention.
A hearty “Thank You” goes
out to all our sponsors, whose
support and contributions make
the event possible. However,
the event was only successful
due to all our exhibitors and
attendees. We appreciate the over
500 people who attended the
convention to network, discuss
their trade and products, take
continuing education classes,
and enjoy seeing their friends
and colleagues again. Of course,
no annual convention goes off
without a hitch, if not for all
the assistance that the TGWA
Women’s Division put forth
during the “Meet & Greet”
and Scholarship Auction.
Some of the highlights from
this year’s Annual Convention
include the election of new
See Convention, page 4
Women in Water - Pg 12
Well Inspections on the Rise - Pg 14
2024 TGWA Award Winners - Pg 5
25 Years: Schertz/Seguin Wellfield - Pg 7
In December 2023 when
the Commission approved
rules changes that changed
the license term to 2 years
they most likely did not
intend on introducing
confusion into the continuing
education requirements.
Unfortunately, that is what
license holders were met with
when rules went in place
that immediately required
8 hours of CE for anyone
renewing after March 1, 2024.
Those license holders can
now breath a sigh of relief
as clarification is now in
place. On March 22, 2024, the
executive director of TDLR
signed a waiver which will
allow a person currently
operating under a one-year
license to only need four (4)
hours of CE credits to renew.
Any classes that are taken in
person or online that are only
offering 4 hours will meet
the requirements for a license
holder to renew their license.
Upon renewing your
license, a new two-year
license will be issued and 8
hours of CE will be required
to renew that license at
the appropriate time.
TDLR Interim
Executive Director
approves waiver for
CE requirements
By BOBBY BAZAN, TGWA
By BOBBY BAZAN,TGWA
board members, officers, and
division chairs, another
successful scholarship auction,
recognition of award winners,
and a fun night of games, live
music, and networking.
Board of Directors: Terms
expired for select Board
members, and while
reappointment occurred for
most, two decided to step down
and allow some new faces to
step up: Andrew Bettle (M&S)
and Steve Musick (GWS).
We genuinely appreciate
the dedicated service and
insight each has provided to
the Board over the years.
In the C&D Division, all
board members with expiring
MORE IN THIS ISSUE:
Joe Vickers (left) was recognized by the
Groundwater Science Division of TGWA by
bestowing his name upon the Groundwater
Science Person of the Year Award.
TGWA Fountainhead - pg 2
Another year, and same story;
everyone seems to be staying
busy. Just comes to show the
importance of our industry. But
it is also important that we take
care of ourselves to keep doing
the things we enjoy doing.
One of the ways we can do
that is by “working smarter,
not harder.” TGWA offers
continuing education that
provides learning resources,
technology advancements in the
industry, and understanding
of aquifer geology.
Speaking of, TGWA is excited
about the upcoming 4th annual
Geoscience Seminar. This year it
will be held in Fredericksburg,
TX on April 12. We welcome
anyone interested in learning
about the aquifers on the Llano
uplift. I hope to see alot of you
there. For more information
about the seminar, visit www.
tgwa.org/geoscience-seminar.
I also would like to
congratulate Bill Stein for being
recognized at the 2024 TGWA
Annual Convention as the
Groundwater Science Person
of the Year and being awarded
with the inaugural Joe Vickers
Award. I had the privilege of
surprising Joe Vickers, one of
my mentors, with the much
deserved naming honor. I am
truly amazed at the wonderful
folks who comprise the
membership of this association.
From the top of the rig
Perspectives of Division Chairs
Josh Barrett
C&D Chair
Russell Drilling Co..
Michael Miller
GWS Chair
GeoCam, Inc.
Lacee Nivens
M&S Chair
Rex McFadden Co.
Hey y’all !! I hope everyone
is having an excellent start to
2024, as it is already going fast.
I greatly appreciate my fellow
Manufacturer and Suppliers
members for trusting me to sit
as Chair in our division. I truly
think of each of you as family.
The crowd at our 2024
Annual TGWA Convention
was full of flamingos and fun
energy! I think having a theme to
our convention was something
different to see rather than
our normal booth set ups! We
also had a substantially higher
amount of attendees along with
more interaction at our events,
like corn hole and live music,
AKA ,game night ! If you have
not seen our organization play
in a corn hole tournament then
that alone is a reason in my
book to be a part of our TGWA
family and membership status!
Excited for things ahead!
Enjoying the opportunity
Another wild year!
It was good to see everyone
at the 2024 convention. I
always enjoy getting to visit
with friends, meet new people
and see the new products. If
you were not able to make it,
you are missing out! Please
make arrangements to join us
in Lubbock next January. And
bring your staff! I know our team
enjoyed visiting the vendor
exhibits and getting a break from
the rain that week brought us.
I would like to take this
time to congratulate Jaythan
Browning for being voted in
as the C&D Vice Chair. The
members also voted for Pete
Brien, Dale Felder, John Julian,
Bill Lange, Mike Pyburn, Roger
Russell, and Robert Wagstaff to
remain on the board. If you or
someone you know is interested
in getting more involved with the
association, the best way to start
is by serving on a committee. If
you would like more information
on committees, please email
Bobby or ask a board member.
This year’s Scholarship
Auction was a success again.
If you donated, worked, or
bought items for the auction
thank you for your continued
support for an excellent cause.
Please remember to mark
your calendars for the 4th annual
Geoscience Seminar. I guarantee
you will not be disappointed!
TGWA Fountainhead - pg 3
A MESSAGE FROM THE TGWA PRESIDENT
Official Publication of the
Texas Groundwater Association
4401 Westgate Blvd, Suite 320
Austin, Texas 78745
Phone: 512-472-7437
www.tgwa.org
Association Staff
Bobby Bazan, Executive Director
Becky Arledge, Administrative Assistant
John Julian, President
Chris Lange, President-Elect
William McPike, Immediate Past President
TGWA Officers
John Julian, TGWA President
Thanks for the Prayers!
On behalf of TGWA President John Julian, a great
big THANK YOU for the thoughts, prayers, well-
wishes and donations sent to the people of the Texas
Panhandle. There is still much work to be done. If you
feel led to donate, these are two excellent resources.
Again, our sincerest thanks!
Canadian VFD
PO BOX 300
Canadian, TX 79014
Memo: Rancher Wildlife Relief Fund
This is a 501C3 benefitting ranchers
who experienced wildfires.
Open - Central Texas
Open - East Texas
Open - Gulf Coast
Open - Mid-Coast
David Dennett - North TX
Open - Pan./S. Plains
Alex Neely - South Texas
Open - West Texas
C&D Chapter Directors
Contractors & Drillers Division
2025
Jaythan Browning
Patrick Casarez
Ezequiel Cervantes
Brad Davis
Dake Jackson
Terry Lowe
Don McElroy
Bill Stoner
2026
J. Clark Abel
Jeff Brien
Josh Barrett
Dennis Kern
Chris Lange
William McPike
Russell Southerland
2027
Pete Brien
Dale Felder
John Julian
Bill Lange
Mike Pyburn
Roger Russell
Robert Wagstaff
Manufacturers & Suppliers Division
2025
Rodney Ball
Bob Hill
Jim Jackson
Jason Yonce
2026
Justin Brisnahan
Robert Dilldine
Ruben Reyna
Vickie Ross
Jimmy Vela
2027
Weston Mitchell
Lacee Nivens
Eli Rodriguez
Jacob Strunk
Ground Water Science Division
2025
Amy Bush
Allan Standen
Rusty Tarver
2026
Mike Miller
Stefan Stamoulis
Kelley Cochran
John Waugh
2027
CJ Bennett
Billy Gamblin
Chase Crane
TGWA Fountainhead - pg 4
Convention, continued from cover page
terms were re-elected to serve
another three-year term. Josh
Barrett of Russell Drilling Co.
was re-elected as the division
chair. The division also elected
Jaythan Browning of Millican
Well Services as the co-chair.
In the M&S Division, Weston
Mitchell, with Winsupply of
Lubbock, was elected to fill
the seat vacated by Andrew
Bettle while all other seats
were filled with incumbents.
Todd Armstrong of GEFCO
was elected as an alternate
board member. Lacee Nivens
of Rex McFadden Co., Inc.
was elected division chair,
while Jason Yonce of DC Sales
Company will serve as co-chair.
In the GWS Division, with
Steve Musick stepping down,
Chase Crane with Well-Scope
was elected for that seat while
incumbents were voted to fill
the remaining seats. Michael
Miller of GeoCam, Inc. was
elected division chair, and Amy
Bush of RMBJ Geo Inc. was
elected division vice-chair.
Scholarship Auction: With
over 60 items donated
by TGWA members and
auctioned off, we raised over
$54,000 for Texas youth in
higher education. A HEARTY
THANK YOU goes out to all
who participate in this event,
either as a donor or a buyer.
Awards Luncheon: On Thursday
afternoon, convention attendees
gathered for lunch to honor
colleagues recognized for
their service and commitment
to the association and the
groundwater industry. We
welcomed keynote speaker
Representative Ken King, who
delivered a speech highlighting
the state of legislative affairs
after the 88th session.
This year, the Groundwater
Science Division recognized the
commitment and dedication
to TGWA that Joe Vickers has
demonstrated over the years
by naming the Groundwater
Science Person of the Year
award in his honor. Bill Stein,
P.G., Advanced Groundwater
Solutions, was awarded the
inaugural Joe Vickers Award.
Four people were awarded
honorary lifetime memberships
for outstanding commitment
and support to the groundwater
industry and the Association.
They were Jerry Browning,
Millican Well Service; Steve
Musick, Musick Groundwater
Consulting; Joe Chapman,
Chapman Drilling; and Gary
Oliver, Pumps of Houston.
Game Night: Attendees
grabbed a drink and joined
in on some fun and games
with friends. The highlight,
of course, was the 4th Annual
Top left: State Representative Ken King addressed the crowd serving as the Keynote
Speaker at the Awards Luncheon. Top right: Shawn Marlow shares his fantastic paintings
with John Gann and the rest of the Meet & Greet attendees. Bottom left: Attendees
were able to take continuing education classes. Bottom right: Auction helpers hold up a
donated Texas A&M quilt which was auctioned for TGWA Scholarship Foundation.
(Photo credit: WorldWide Drilling Resources)
Cornhole Tournament. Over 25
teams competed in this year’s
tournament. Others participated
in table games throughout
the evening, providing
plenty of entertainment.
As for entertainment,
thank you to Pumps of
Houston and Flowserve for
hosting the Live Music.
Thank you again to all the
sponsors, exhibitors, attendees,
volunteers, and staff who made
this event a success! Mark your
calendars now to join us at
next year’s annual convention
planned for January 28-30,
2025, in Lubbock, TX. We look
forward to seeing everyone
and others at any of our future
events. For a calendar of
upcoming events, check our
website, www.tgwa.org, or
look out for our event emails.
TGWA Fountainhead - pg 5
John Julian awards Martin Lingle the
Gary D. Grant Award.
John Julian awards Jimmy Vela the Mark
Campbell Excellence in Training Award.
John Julian awards Frank Glass the
Owen F. Jensen
(Contractor of the Year) Award.
John Julian poses with his President’s
Award recipient Bob Hill.
Joe Vickers presents Bill Stein the Joe
Vickers (GWS Person of the Year) Award.
John Julian awards Dean Hansen the
Robert J. “Bob” Neely Award.
All Photos Provided by WorldWide Drilling Resource, Inc.
Congratulations to all TGWA Award Winners!
John Julian awards Van Schmuck the
Wesley Young (M&S Supplier of the Year)
Award.
Honorary Lifetime Membership was
awarded to Steve Musick
Honorary Lifetime Membership was
awarded to Jerry Browning
Also receiving Honorary Lifetime Membership, but not in attendance, were
Gary Oliver (left) and Joe Chapman (right).
TGWA Fountainhead - pg 6
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TGWA Fountainhead - pg 7
INTRODUCTION
In early December 1999 a Schertz/Seguin delegation
boarded an aircraft for New York City. Armed with
only a few maps and reports, no ground-water
permits, their mission was to secure bond funding for
a proposed dependable Carrizo well field in western
Gonzales County capable of producing 23,000 acre-
feet per year for 35 years. The delegation consisted of
representatives from the Cities of Schertz and Seguin,
and the initial Schertz/Seguin Local Government
Corporation’s (SSLGC) Board of Directors.
The delegation was successful in securing financing
for the well field to be located approximately 4
miles south of Leesville, Texas. Initially the project
was to consist of 8 municipal wells and a water-
treatment plant. Later 4 additional wells were added.
The Cities of Schertz and Seguin are connected to
the well field by underground pipelines. Figure
1 shows the location of the 12 SSLGC Wells.
CARRIZO STUDIES LEADING TO
WELL FIELD DEVELOPMENT
Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Studies
Prior to 1999, two important studies were made
which addressed recharge to the Carrizo aquifer and
long-term ground-water availability. Texas Water
Development Board’s (TWDB) Report 4 (1965) study
of Gonzales County included an inventory of wells,
measured water levels, constructed maps and geologic
cross sections, and estimates of recharge and ground-
water availability. TWDB’s Report 210 (1976) described
a regional study of the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer in the
Winter Garden Area of South Texas (including western
Gonzales County) in which a computer model was
used to simulate the ground-water availability.
The findings of the above studies indicated the
Carrizo, consisting of interbedded and massive sands,
is the most dependable, continuous, and permeable
water-bearing aquifer in Gonzales County. Figure 2
is an electric log of SSLGC Well #3 which illustrates
the permeable and massive sands of the Carrizo.
Early Pumping and Water Quality Tests
In September of 1998, two pumping tests were
conducted on irrigation wells located on properties
east and south of the proposed well field site.
Transmissivities obtained were on the order of
130,000 - 150,000 gallons per day per foot (gpd/ft).
Water quality samples taken during the pumping
tests and analyzed indicated the water was fresh
and met EPA Primary Drinking Water Standards.
Water Levels and Computer Modeling
For a number of years water levels have been
measured in the vicinity of the well field by TWDB.
Using a Theis analytical model in 1998, and the
above measured water levels, future pumping
scenarios were simulated in order to estimate
Carrizo water-level declines at the well field site.
Analytic modeling indicated Carrizo water-level
declines would be on the order of 100 to 150 feet
after 35 years of computer simulated pumping.
Based on the above studies, in early 1999,
The cities of Schertz and Seguin concluded that
the SSLGC Well Field would be constructed.
SSLGC WELLS
SSLGC #3
The first well drilled was SSLGC #3 by Friedel
Drilling Company. SSLGC #3 was drilled to a depth
of approximately 1,300 feet. Later, the pilot hole
was plugged back to about 1,200 feet (Figure 2).
The well screens medium to coarse Carrizo sands
from about 961 to1190 feet below ground level
with a gravel pack in the annular space between
the screen and the wall of the undreamed hole.
The pumping test was conducted by Friedel
Drilling Company on July 17 through 22, 2000.
SSLGC #3 and two Carrizo water-level observation
wells were used in the test. The two water-level
observation wells were located at distances of 2,600
feet (South Irrigation Well) and 4,400 feet (DONCO
#2) northwest of SSLGC #3. The results of the
testing were favorable and are shown below.
Celebrating 25 Years of the Schertz/
Seguin, South Texas, Carrizo Well
Field
By BILL KLEMPT, P.G. and GREG SENGELMANN, P.G.
Figure 1: Map depicting the location of the SSLGC wells in Gonzalez
County, Texas.
see SSLGC, page 8
TGWA Fountainhead - pg 8
1) Transmissivity of the sands screened by
SSLGC #3 ranged from about 162,000 to 180,000
gpd/ft. The one-hour specific capacity was
37.3 gallons per minute per foot (gpm/ft).
2) Transmissivity calculated from the data collected
from the south Irrigation Well was 121,000gpd/
ft and the storage coefficient about 0.00045.
3) Time-drawdown data for DONCO #2 indicated
water levels were not drawn down during the testing.
Well Field Construction and Development
The SSLGC well field was constructed in two
phases. The wells 1 through 8 and the water-treatment
plant were constructed in the first phase (2000 -
2003). Later, wells 9 through 12 were constructed
during the period 2010 - 2011. Figure 1 shows the
location of the 12 SSLGC wells in Gonzales County.
In general, the following describes the SSLGC
well construction: a) designed to pump 1,200 gpm or
more; b) each well is an 18 x 12-inch underreamed,
30-inch gravel-wall well; c) average well depth
is approximately 1,200 feet; and d) the pump is
a deep-well line-shaft pump powered by a 150
horsepower electrical motor. The 18-inch-long string
casing is constructed of mild steel and cemented
back to surface. The 12-inch screen is constructed of
stainless-steel wire wrapped on mild steel pipe.
Annual pumpage was 796 acre-feet in 2002, when
the well field began operation, and gradually increased
to 8,000 - 12,000 acre-feet/year. Figure 3 shows the
annual pumpage from the SSLGC Well Field (2002 -
2023).
THINKING LONG-TERM
On December 1, 2023, SSLGC celebrated 25 years
of service and existence. A great deal of hydro-geologic
information was collected, prior to 1999, in the vicinity
of the SSLGC well field. This information includes
water levels, water chemistry, aquifer pumping tests
and electric logs from wells drilled in the area. Such
data was used to design the SSLGC well field.
Water-level drawdown modeling studies, using
the above data, were performed by TWDB and
others. All of these studies have shown favorable
results in terms of producing ground-water without
harm to the Carrizo aquifer. Therefore, the SSLGC
well field, for years in the future, should be able
to meet the present and future ground-water
needs of the Cities of Schertz and Seguin Texas.
DEDICATION
This article is dedicated to the memory of Kenneth
Greenwald and Crockett Camp. The authors of this
article pay tribute to their fine work relating to water
resources. We express our deep feelings over the very
tragic loss of these two fine and highly thought of men.
Figure 2: Electronic log of SSLGC Well #3 which illustrates the thickness of
the Carrizo sands at the well site.
Figure 3: SSLGC annual production from the Carrizo wellfield in acre-feet
beginning in 2002
SSLGC, continued from page 7
TGWA Fountainhead - pg 9
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TGWA Fountainhead - pg 10