How do I get water on land with no utilities?

TexasReviewed October 2026

The usual choices are a private well, rainwater harvesting, or extending a water line from a nearby provider. Before drilling, contact the local groundwater conservation district, since Texas has 98 districts covering about 70 percent of the state and some have permit or spacing rules; use a driller licensed by TDLR. Keep a well at least 50 feet from a septic tank and 100 feet from drain fields. Rainwater harvesting is legal in Texas and can supply household water after proper treatment, yielding about 0.62 gallons per square foot of roof per inch of rain before losses. Check local health and building rules for potable rainwater systems.

Check your local rule. This varies by state, county or city. Your permitting office has the final word; the official lookup pages below show you who that is.

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General information, written in our own words from the sources listed with each answer. It is not legal, engineering, tax or financial advice. Rules change and differ by state, county and city, so confirm with the office that issues your permit before you build. Last reviewed October 2026.