Drilling a Water Well: Permits, Contractors and What a Survey Should Include

Drilling a water well typically follows a set sequence: research local geology and well records, confirm permits and water rights with your state and county, choose a licensed contractor under a written, itemized contract, drill and construct the well, then test its yield and water quality before you rely on it. A pre-drilling survey can help on difficult sites, but only the drilling and pumping test confirm what is down there. About 43 million people in the United States, roughly 15 percent of the population, rely on domestic wells according to the USGS, and the homeowner is generally responsible for the well's upkeep and water quality.

This guide covers permits, contractors, the drilling process and what a good pre-drilling survey should include.

Step 1: Research before drilling a water well

Start with information that is often free. The USGS calls well records a primary source of data because test drilling is costly. Look up nearby wells in your state's well log database and note depth to water, total depth, formations and tested yield. Review the geologic map for your parcel and talk to neighbors about their wells. The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) also recommends estimating your water needs, including seasonal uses and fire protection, and in areas where dry or low-yield wells are common, confirming water before you build a house.

For a deeper look at depths and siting, see How Deep Is Groundwater? and How to Choose a Well Site.

Step 2: Permits and water rights

Well permitting is handled at the state level, often with additional county or health department rules, and it varies considerably:

• Wyoming: the State Engineer's Office states that every groundwater well, including domestic and stock wells, has required a permit before drilling since May 1969, and an unregistered well may not have a protected water right.
• Colorado: Colorado State University Extension notes that a well permit from the State Engineer's Office is required before drilling. Exempt domestic and livestock wells are generally limited to 15 gallons per minute, and permitted uses depend on parcel size.

Other states regulate through health departments, groundwater conservation districts or county building departments, and some have relatively few statewide rules for private domestic wells. Irrigation and commercial wells often require water rights or additional approvals, especially in the West. Your driller will usually know local requirements, but as the landowner you are typically responsible for making sure permits and any water rights are in place.

Step 3: Choose a licensed well contractor

The NGWA's guidance on hiring a contractor highlights several checks:

• Licensing: confirm the contractor holds any state license required where you live. Not all states require one.
• Certification: NGWA offers voluntary certification; its highest level is Master Groundwater Contractor.
• Insurance: confirm adequate liability and workers' compensation coverage.
• References and equipment: ask about past customers and whether equipment is well maintained.
• Well logs: confirm the contractor files well records and will give you a copy.
• Multiple quotes: get several, and avoid choosing on lowest price alone.

Step 4: Get a written, itemized contract

The NGWA recommends a written contract with itemized costs rather than a lump sum. Items to include:

What a pre-drilling survey should include

On straightforward sites with consistent neighboring wells, many owners go straight to drilling. On complex sites, such as fractured bedrock or areas with dry holes nearby, a survey can help choose the drilling target. A useful survey, whether from a hydrogeologist or geophysical contractor, should include:

1. Records review: nearby well logs, geologic maps and any USGS or state aquifer studies.
2. Site constraints: setbacks from septic systems and other contamination sources, flood areas, utilities and rig access.
3. Field method stated clearly: for example, resistivity or electromagnetic profiling, with line locations and electrode spacing.
4. Data and interpretation: results presented as profiles or maps, with the reasoning for the recommended target.
5. Uncertainty: an honest statement of limits. The U.S. EPA notes that resistivity data can be non-unique and that clay and salinity both lower resistivity.
6. Ranked drilling targets: more than one candidate, with expected formation and a depth range based on local records rather than a guaranteed depth.
7. Water-quality outlook: any known risk of brackish or mineralized water in the target formation.

Some landowners also use an owner-operated groundwater locator from our groundwater detectors collection for preliminary reconnaissance on large properties. Manufacturers state that these units can indicate likely water zones and, in some cases, water type; results depend on ground conditions and operator skill, so share any readings with your driller as one input among several.

Step 5: Drilling, construction and testing

Once the permit is approved and the site marked, a typical job proceeds through these stages:

1. Rig setup and drilling, with the driller logging the materials encountered.
2. Installing casing, and a screen where needed in unconsolidated formations.
3. Grouting the space around the casing to seal out surface water.
4. Developing the well to clear fine sediment.
5. Yield testing: the NGWA suggests asking what pumping rate was used, how far the water level dropped and how quickly it recovered.
6. Disinfecting the well and installing the cap.
7. Installing the pump, pressure tank and wiring.
8. Receiving the well log, which the NGWA recommends keeping with your property deed.

Budgeting for a new well

Costs vary too widely by region and geology for a meaningful national figure, so rely on local quotes. When comparing bids, line them up item by item: drilling per foot, casing, grout, screen, development, yield testing, disinfection, pump and pressure system, electrical work, permits and water testing. A low bid that leaves out the pump, the yield test or dry-hole abandonment may end up costing more. The NGWA notes that a home without a viable water supply loses value, which is one reason to treat the well as core infrastructure rather than a place to cut corners. Build in a contingency for extra depth, since the final depth is not known until the driller reaches a productive zone.

Step 6: Test the water

Private wells are generally not regulated under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. The U.S. EPA recommends testing private wells at least once a year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH, using a state-certified laboratory, and testing again after flooding, well repairs or any change in taste, odor or color. If the water comes in salty or mineralized, see our guide to fresh, mineral and salt groundwater.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit before drilling a water well?

In many states, yes. Wyoming and Colorado, for example, require State Engineer approval first. Check with your state water agency and county health department.

Can I drill my own well?

It depends on state law and local code. Check with your state well-licensing or water agency before starting. A licensed contractor is the simpler route for code compliance, permit paperwork and an official well log.

How long does drilling take?

Drilling itself often takes a short time, but permits, scheduling, testing and pump installation can extend the overall timeline. Ask your contractor for an estimate.

What happens if the well is dry?

Your contract should spell out costs and responsibilities for a dry hole, including proper abandonment. Discuss this before work begins.

Should I get a survey before drilling?

It is most worthwhile where nearby wells are inconsistent or the geology is complex. On sites with reliable neighboring wells, records and a driller's experience may be enough.

Well permitting, water rights and construction rules change and differ by state, county and groundwater district. Confirm current requirements with your state water agency and local health department before you drill.

Sources

• >National Ground Water Association: How to Hire a Water Well Contractor
• >National Ground Water Association: Having a Well Drilled
• >Wyoming State Engineer's Office: Ground Water Division
• >Colorado State University Extension: Colorado well permit fact sheet (6.700)
• >US EPA: Protect Your Home's Water (Private Wells)
• >USGS: Quality of Water From Domestic Wells in Principal Aquifers of the United States