According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, more than 13 million households in the United States rely on private wells for their drinking water. Having a well installed on your property is a great way to have clean, affordable water in your home.
If you are considering this, you may be wondering about well drilling costs. The price you pay will depend on many different factors, including where you live. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to ensure you are getting the best price for water well drilling.
The information below lays out the variables that impact drilling and water system installation costs. It will provide you with some ways of measuring these factors so that you can anticipate the price range going in.
Water Well Basics
Drilling for water is no new development. The first water wells date back to more than 8,000 years ago.
Water from rain and other forms of precipitation soaks into the ground and fills in any cracks and crevices. The water table is the line below which the ground is saturated with water. These areas are known as aquifers.
Even though you do not see it, groundwater makes up more than 95 percent of all fresh water on the planet. The National Geographic Society estimates that there are about 33,000 trillion gallons of U.S. groundwater reserves.
A well is a hole drilled into the ground to access water contained in an underground aquifer. Well screens installed at the end of the piping filter out debris and sediment in the groundwater.
A submersible pump sends the water up the borehole to the surface. The casing protects the water piping and electrical wiring for the pump within the borehole.
Well Drilling Cost
Most residential wells are between 100 and 500 feet deep, but they can run more than 1,000 feet into the ground. If you have any neighbors that have drilled wells, they may be able to tell you the approximate depth. Otherwise, drilling companies can use special equipment to make the determination.
According to HomeAdvisor well-drilling costs anywhere from $1,500 to $12,000. That is a very wide range. Another way to get a sense of total cost is to expect to pay between $15 and $30 per foot of drilling depth.
For wells deeper than 100 feet or more difficult terrain, you will pay on the higher end of that range. Shallower or more straightforward excavations may be closer to the lower end.
Well pumps usually run around $1,000 but could be less depending on your home’s water needs. Pipe casing costs are difficult to estimate since the amount needed will depend on the depth of your well. You can expect to pay between $50 and $250 per foot.
Your system will include a pressurized water storage tank. These also have a wide range in prices, depending on the size you need. A typical tank runs about $2,000. Also, if this is a new home, you may want to include the price of a water heater in the estimate.
The cost of water treatment and purification systems will depend on how elaborate they are. Whole-home systems will run between $1,000 and $5,000. The higher-end ones include things like reverse osmosis filtration.
Other Factors That Impact Cost
Beyond basic well equipment and installation costs, there are a few other variables that could affect the final price. Here are a few to consider.
Geographic Location
The cost of living where you live could impact the price of well installation. Another factor is the topography of where your home is. Lower water table levels mean deeper boreholes, which raise expenses.
Also, the more dirt and granite in your soil, the more difficult it will be to drill through. These challenges require specialized equipment and take longer than more straightforward projects.
Water Requirements
Another thing that could impact well-drilling cost is how much water you intend to use. For standard households, this variable will not be a major factor.
Water for agricultural or major irrigation purposes will incur higher installation costs. They warrant a larger borehole to accommodate piping. They also require bigger pumps and more elaborate delivery systems.
Also, there are different water quality regulations for agricultural and other larger irrigation uses. These could mandate more elaborate purification measures installed in your system.
Artesian Wells
Artesian wells use water trapped and pressurized under rock layers. The well releases this pressure which allows the water to escape. The result is that there is no need for an electric pump to bring the water to the surface.
You can expect to pay more upfront for artesian well installation. That is because installers must identify the best location and use precise drilling techniques. But the advantage of these wells is lower maintenance and repair costs down the road since there are no pumps or electrical components that can go out.
Get a Free Quote
One easy way to estimate well-drilling cost is to get a free quote. A reputable installer will offer complimentary estimates, and at least be able to give you a ballpark figure of how much the project will cost.
Also, a well-drilling contractor may offer financing at very competitive rates. Check to see what options are available before you make a final decision.
Get a Well Estimate Today
Now that you have an idea of the variables that impact well-drilling cost, you can decide if a water well is right for your home. The information above will help you get a ballpark estimate of what you can expect to pay. But one of the easiest things you can do is request a free estimate from a prominent installer.
At Blair and Norris, we have decades of experience in water well drilling and installation. We stay up-to-date on the latest and most innovative techniques. We offer special finance and rates for installation projects, so reach out to us today to see how we can help meet your home’s water needs.
