Fresh, clean water is a vital natural resource since, without it, human beings and animals cannot survive. Although there are large numbers of people who use municipal water sources, there are others who rely on private wells for water supply, especially those in rural areas or those living in small towns. This guide provides you with details of all aspects of water well drilling and an outline of the costs likely to be incurred.
Factors Associated with the Cost to Drill a Water Well
Location and Land Conditions
The initial costs of drilling a water well are determined by its location and the type of land in the particular region. Wells that are in inaccessible areas or areas that present some degree of technical difficulty will be more expensive to drill because they will require extra equipment, and drilling crews will need to travel longer distances. Also, any ground conditions, such as hard rock or clay soil, will prove to be expensive and slow in drilling, hence increasing the total cost.
Depth of the Well
Other specific parameters, like the depth of the well, affect the cost of water well drilling. Essentially, deep wells typically entail additional use of energy, time, and more expensive instruments than their shallow counterparts. While the typical bored well bore has a depth of approximately 100 feet, some wells may be more than 1,000 feet deep. Therefore, the more extensive the well, the more equipment costs are increased, and the general price is increased also.

Diameter of the Well
Well diameter, or casing size, also will affect the costs of drilling a well. The wider wells put a heavier bill on materials and labor to drill and complete. Some well standards are given below, where the standard suitable diameter is 6 inches but may vary from 4 inches to 12 inches, or maybe more due to unique demands.
Water Yield and Quality
The quantity and quality of water required per day may also affect the cost of drilling a water well. The productivity and quality of the water may require more depths or more elaborate casing and screening to avoid having polluted water. These may add to the total cost.
Geology of the Area
Cost of water well drilling also depends on the geology that dictates the ease of drilling through land surfaces. Drilling where there is a complex geological formation that includes sand, gravel, or bedrock will complicate the process and require different techniques and equipment. Site conditions where the formation is often more compact or of greater hardness mean that drilling will attract higher costs.
Equipment and Labor Costs
The wear and tear of the equipment and the cost of labor may differ from one area to another or from one company that is in charge of the drilling. Regular concessions can incur some additional costs, for example, covering large distances or running their operations in areas that are considered offbeat. Further, higher cost may be claimed if extra equipment or materials are necessary for the project’s completion.
Different Forms of Drilling Techniques and Their Relative Expense
Rotary Drilling
Rotary drilling is the most popular type of water well drilling or borehole drilling. The method uses a rotary drill bit to crush the rock or soil, and allows the drilling fluid to remove the debris (mud or water). The rotary drilling may be performed with the truck-mounted rig or the smaller portable rig, depending on the conditions of the site.
Air-Driven Drilling
Down-the-hole (DTH) drilling or air percussion drilling is drilling in which compressed air is used for turning the drill bit and is also used for pulling out cuttings from the well. It is more effective than rotary drilling in some types of soils and rocks, and is applied for deeper wells or wells in which a high-water inflow is needed.
Mud Rotary Drilling
Mud rotary drilling is a type of rotary drilling that has drilling fluid (mud) that removes the cuttings and cools the drill bit. This method can be used in harsh geological environments; thus, it can be costly compared to the other approaches to drilling.

Auger Drilling
Smack or auger drilling is a slow but effective technique for the construction of shallow wells in soft soil or sand. These machines can also be classified according to the method of how the cuttings are dug out; that is, another rotating helical screw (auger) is used to dig out the cuttings. Auger drilling is less expensive than rotary or air-driven drilling but can only be used for shallow well drilling.
Exactly How Much Does it Cost to Drill One Water Well?
First of all, getting a general idea of the price necessary for establishing a water well by drilling is not an easy thing to do.
However, you can follow these steps to get a rough estimate:
Research local companies: Make a list of water well drilling companies in the area of your property and call them to ask for estimates on how much it would cost to drill a well to the depth and diameter that you want it to be. Do not forget to question about any possible costs, which include permits, inspections, and so on.
Consider the factors mentioned above: Consider such variables about drilling that affect its cost, the site selection, land conditions and geology, and the quantities and quality of water to be produced.
Factor in additional costs: Ascertain the impacts of other potentially costly additional features, including well casing, well screen, pump, and pressure tank, in order to come up with the full cost of drilling a water well.
The average cost of drilling a water well can vary from $15 to $70 per foot, depending on the depth and access, while an average well is 100 feet deep.
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