Texas Groundwater Association
2nd Quarter - Summer 2025
Fountainhead
IN THIS ISSUE
> How drillers should
respond to emergencies
> Texas Legislature
invests big in water
> Kutscher Drilling,
GEFCO bring water well
project to Belize
TGWA Fountainhead - Page 1
Submit stories, photos, and news to tdavis@tgwa.org
Inside this Issue
13
16
17
On the Road
Underneath
the Surface
Investing in
Water
What Now?
Kutscher Drilling,
GEFCO bring water
well project to Belize
Geoscience Seminar
focuses on Gulf
Coast groundwater
Texas Legislature
passes major water
infrastructure bills
Preparing for
emergencies at
drilling sites
Eric Macias (chief operating
officer of LORENTZ U.S.
Corp. in Slaton, Texas, and
NGWA Board President)
teaches about solar energy
pump systems during TGWA’s
continuing education classes
in Round Rock on May 16.
THERESA DAVIS | TGWA
TGWA Fountainhead - Page 2
A MESSAGE FROM THE TGWA PRESIDENT
Chris Lange, TGWA President
I’m not sure if it’s because I’m
getting older or because Texas is
getting hotter, but I de�nitely take
the summer much harder than I
used to. It seems like every year,
those days over 100 degrees get
here sooner and last longer.
And in our industry, heat isn’t
just uncomfortable; it can be
downright dangerous.
Whether you’re on a rig or
making repairs in the �eld,
high temperatures can sneak up
on you faster than you think.
Dehydration, heat exhaustion,
and even heat stroke are risks that
we all need to take seriously.
Here are a few best practices:
Stay Hydrated. Drink water
early and often. Don’t wait until
you’re thirsty. Electrolyte drinks
can also help, but nothing beats
plain water to keep your body
regulated.
Take Breaks. Find some shade
and give your body a chance to
cool down. Even short breaks can
make a big di�erence in keeping
you safe and productive.
Dress
Smart.
Light-colored,
loose-�tting clothing helps re�ect
heat. A wide-brimmed hat and
sunscreen can prevent sunburn,
which can worsen heat stress.
Know the Signs. Watch for
dizziness,
headaches,
nausea,
confusion, or cramps. If you or
a coworker starts to feel these
symptoms, stop work immediate-
ly and cool down.
Check on Each Other. Heat
stress can sneak up on us all. Keep
an eye on your team, and don’t be
afraid to speak up if you notice
someone struggling.
I know we all take pride in hard
work and long hours, especially
when it’s busy. But working hard
and working smart aren’t mutu-
ally exclusive.
Let’s make sure we take care
of ourselves and our teams this
summer so we can keep this in-
dustry moving forward safely
and e�ectively.
Chris
Association Staff
Bobby Bazan, Executive Director
Theresa Davis, Communications & Outreach Director
Official Publication of the
Texas Groundwater Association
401 N Main St, Suite 114
Bryan, Texas 77803
Phone: 512-472-7437
www.tgwa.org
Chris Lange, President
Joshua Barrett, Secretary
John Julian, Immediate Past President
TGWA Officers
Contractors & Drillers Division
2026
J. Clark Abel
Jeff Brien
Josh Barrett
Dennis Kern
Chris Lange
William McPike
Alex Neely
2027
Pete Brien
Dale Felder
John Julian
Billy Ray Lange
Mike Pyburn
Roger Russell
Robert Wagstaff
Shaun Grell
2028
Jaythan Browning
Patrick Casarez
Ezequiel Cervantes
Brad Davis
Terry Lowe
Don McElroy
Bill Stoner
David Dennett
Dustin Raper
Glenn Riske
Manufacturers & Suppliers Division
2026
Justin Brisnahan
Robert Dilldine
Ruben Reyna
Vickie Ross
Jimmy Vela
2027
Weston Mitchell
Lacee Nivens
Eli Rodriguez
Jacob Strunk
Todd Armstrong
2028
Rodney Ball
Robert “Bob” Hill
Jim Jackson
Jason Yonce
Joe Riker
Ground Water Science Division
2026
Kelley Cochran
Mike Miller
Stefan Stamoulis
John Waugh
2027
CJ Bennett
Billy Gamblin
Chase Crane
2028
Amy Bush
Lynn Smith
Michael Redman
Stay safe this summer
Front Cover:
A field is irrigated near Navasota in May. Theresa Davis /
TGWA
Back Cover:
A windmill is pictured in Hunt, Texas. Theresa Davis /
TGWA
TGWA Fountainhead - Page 3
top of the rIg
Perspectives of Division Chairs
I hope everyone has had a chance to enjoy
the recent rain before the Texas heat kicks in
and the busy summer season ramps up.
As always, we appreciate the ongoing sup-
port of our members, sponsors, and part-
ners who help keep the Texas Groundwater
Association strong and active.
This spring brought us together in College
Station for our Spring Board Meeting and in
Brenham for the annual Geoscience Seminar.
Both events were well attended and packed
with valuable discussions, insights, and up-
dates on the latest developments in ground-
water management and geoscience.
We extend our thanks to all who par-
ticipated and contributed, especially our
speakers and organizers who made the event
a success. These gatherings continue to be a
cornerstone of collaboration and education
in our industry.
We’re excited to invite both members and
non-members to our upcoming family fun
weekend in Port Aransas. Bring the whole
family out for a relaxing and fun-�lled few
days. We’ll enjoy �shing, sunshine, and good
company — and cap it o� with a shrimp boil
and beach cleanup.
It’s a great opportunity to connect out-
side of the o�ce and celebrate the work we
do together to protect and manage Texas
groundwater.
Thank you for your continued dedication
to TGWA and our Scholarship Foundation.
Your involvement makes it possible for us to
support future generations of groundwater
professionals and advocate for sound water
management across the state.
We look forward to seeing many of you in
Port Aransas — until then, stay safe and cool
this summer!
A great summer ahead
Jaythan
Browning
C&D Chair
Millican Well Service
TGWA’s success relies on the active par-
ticipation of its members — from volunteer-
ing on committees to supporting educational
initiatives.
One of the most impactful ways to contrib-
ute is by joining a TGWA committee.
Serving on a committee allows you to con-
tribute your skills to an area you’re passion-
ate about.
• Convention Committee: Plan and ex-
ecute TGWA’s annual convention, from
classes to the trade show.
• Auction & Ra�e Committee: Raise mon-
ey for the TGWA Scholarship Fund by orga-
nizing auction items and ra�e ticket sales.
• Continuing Education Committee: Help
design workshops and webinars that keep
members up-to-date with industry trends.
• Legislative Committee: Advocate for
groundwater policies by monitoring relevant
legislation and engaging with lawmakers.
TGWA also has committees to help grow
membership, honor industry leaders with
awards, review association bylaws, and
nominate candidates for leadership.
For those who want to take on a leader-
ship role, serving on the Board of Directors
is a great way to in�uence TGWA’s direc-
tion. Board members help set the associa-
tion’s goals and advocate for the interests of
members across Texas. Board service is an
excellent opportunity for those with a vision
for the future of groundwater.
TGWA regularly hosts events like work-
shops and its annual convention, providing
opportunities for members to share their ex-
pertise, engage in important discussions on
industry trends, and increase their visibility
within the groundwater community.
Every TGWA member can advocate for
sustainable groundwater policies. By par-
ticipating in advocacy campaigns, attending
town halls, or volunteering for educational
outreach, you can help shape the policy land-
scape and raise awareness of groundwater is-
sues in your community.
Anyone looking to get involved can start
by visiting tgwa.org.
Opportunities to serve
Jason Yonce
M&S Chair
DJC Sales Company
Greetings, water folks! Summer is here! I
hope everyone is staying busy and cool.
The geoscience division had a banner year
at the Geoscience Seminar in Brenham last
month learning about the Gulf Coast area
aquifers. It was a fantastic day of education
and CE hours for drillers and nerds alike. If
you missed it, don’t worry — we’re already
planning a fun one for next year!
The beginning of summer also marked the
end of the legislative session.
This was a huge year for water! HJR 7 and
Senate Bill 7 provides for dedicated funding
for water infrastructure across the state. With
these bills, the legislators authorized a con-
stitutional amendment that would dedicate
$1 billion annually to the Texas Water Fund.
This funding is set up to work similar to state
highway funding.
Be on the lookout for those municipal con-
tracts, and be sure to vote for the proposition
in support of this funding on November 4,
2025!
Coming up soon is the Family Weekend in
Port Aransas.
It’s time to register and get those ho-
tel plans made, and I hope you’ve already
signed up for the �shing tournament. If you
come down, I promise I’ll let you beat me at
cornhole. Don’t miss out on this weekend of
fun in the sun! Remember to keep your logs
detailed and your liners documented!
Looking forward to Port Aransas
Amy Bush
GWS Chair
RMBJ Geo, Inc.
TGWA Fountainhead - Page 4
Theresa Davis, TGWA
Water is life, and TGWA members work
every day to connect more people with this
precious resource.
Recently, GEFCO/Bauer and Kutscher
Drilling took their work a little further south
than the Lone Star State — with a project in
the small Central American country of Belize.
Cody Ridgeway and William Martin of
San Marcos-based Kutscher Drilling �rst met
Belizean o�cials at a GEFCO/Bauer open
house, where the o�cials were buying a new
drilling rig.
They struck up a conversation, which led
to a plan for the two drillers to join them for
drilling on the new rig in Belize.
“It was a great experience, and it made
me want to keep drilling,” Ridgeway said.
“Everyone was so appreciative. You really
feel like your work has a purpose.”
The GEFCO 30K rig was sold to the
country’s Ministry of Rural Transformation,
Community Development, Labour and Local
Government.
Previously, the agency had been working
with a GEFCO rig from the 1980s.
“The ministry really took care of us, and we
got to see pretty much all of Belize,” Martin
said. “The guys down there are all interested
in coming up here to work and learn. We’re
hoping at some point we can continue this
sort of exchange program.”
The Texas drillers quickly learned that
amenities they take for granted are consid-
ered luxuries for the Belizean workers.
Instead of using a skid steer to pick up
pipe, the crew lifted it by hand. Filling up a
water truck meant pumping from the river.
Even using knives on the job for basic tasks is
made more di�cult by government restric-
tions on weapons.
The GEFCO 30K drilling
rig built for the Belizean
government is pictured
at an Open House
in Conroe, Texas. |
COURTESY OF GEFCO
See BELIZE, page 8
GEFCO, Kutscher Drilling bring
water well project to Belize
TGWA Fountainhead - Page 4
TGWA Fountainhead - Page 5
AGRICULTURAL
INDUSTRIAL
MUNICIPAL
RESIDENTIAL
WE’RE IN THE YES BUSINESS
WE KNOW WORKING ON WATER WELLS
ISN’T JUST TOUGH - IT’S VITAL.
We deliver solutions designed to
keep you ahead of the curve.
LUBBOCK, TX | 806.368.8867
GARDEN CITY, KS | 620.275.4107
SIMMONSPUMP.COM
WILLCOX, AZ | 520.384.2273
TGWA Fountainhead - Page 6
TGWA Fountainhead - Page 7
TGWA Fountainhead - Page 8
Above: The crew prepares to use the new GEFCO 30K drilling rig to drill a water well for a village in Belize. Inset: William Martin and Cody Ridgeway of
San Marcos-based Kutscher Drilling spent a week in Belize helping work on a new water well rig. | COURTESY OF KUTSCHER DRILLING
William Martin of Kutscher Drilling (right) helps test the a water pump in Belize. | COURTESY
OF KUTSCHER DRILLING
“It was a blast working with these hardwork-
ing guys from morning until night,” Ridgeway
said. “They really love the water well industry.”
The Kutscher crew said they saw the impact
of their work in Santa Elena, where they drilled
two wells.
Local women and children use hand pumps
to �ll up �ve-gallon buckets for the day’s water
needs.
The community, grateful for the infrastruc-
ture improvements, invited the drilling crew
into their homes for meals.
Juan Perez, GEFCO/Bauer’s regional sales
manager for the southeast U.S. and Latin
America, said the project was a unique type of
business transaction.
“We feel like we are helping not only the in-
dustry, but also a country in dire need of wa-
ter — the most essential service that everybody
needs,” Perez said. “It feels very good to be
part of that.”
From Conroe, the drilling rig was taken to
Florida, then on a shipping vessel to Belize.
GEFCO/Bauer technician Mike Wojnarowski
was in Belize to “start up” the delivery. Some
training sessions featured an up-close view of
nearby Mayan ruins.
“We teach people how to run the equipment,
how to maintain it, and make sure that the rig is
in perfectly operational condition,” Perez said.
“It’s a large project for a country that size.”
BELIZE, from page 4
TGWA Fountainhead - Page 9