How Much Does Water Well Drilling Cost?

by | Jul 4, 2023

At Borehole Solutions, we’re massive advocates for water wells. After all, why wouldn’t we be? They’re easy to maintain, cost-effective, more environmentally friendly and provide a much fresher source of water compared to traditional water supplies. It’s no wonder why so many people are having them installed, especially now that summer is in full force. Perhaps the most common question we’ve found people asking is, “how much does well drilling cost?” Our answer; it depends. Vague, we know, but unfortunately, that’s the truth!

Well drilling isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. There are a number of factors which influence the overall project’s cost. Without an in-person consultation, it’s simply impossible to determine an accurate figure. But what are the factors that need to be considered?

Drilling Specifications

As you’d expect, the actual drilling of the well itself makes up the largest percentage of the project’s cost. Essentially, the deeper and wider you want your water well to be, the more expensive it is. After all, a larger drilling project requires more hours, energy to run the equipment, and sometimes even additional materials. For instance, you’ll also need to consider the casing used to line the well. Understandably, a higher price is associated with larger sized wells due to the greater cost involved with sourcing more casing.

Location of the Well

For domestic projects, the further your well is from your home, then the more expensive it will be. This is due to the amount of waterline required to connect the well to your property. Additionally, should specific permits and licences be required, these will also contribute to a higher well drilling cost.

Water Quality Testing

Prior to consumption, you must first ensure that the water within the well is safe to drink. Unsurprisingly, drinking untested water has a far greater likelihood of developing health problems in the long term. The presence of nitrate, for example – often found in areas which frequently use fertiliser – can be particularly dangerous for children. Even without these chemicals, however, consuming dirty water can lead to nausea and stomach issues.

Considering this, it’s essential that contamination testing falls under your final well drilling cost. The portion it accounts for, however, depends on how accurate you want the report to be. A home testing kit, for example, only costs between £15 and £30, but it’s limited in how detailed it is. If you’re a business operation and are providing the water to others, however, greater analysis may be required to ensure safety. Should this be the case, Borehole Solutions offers a contamination testing service alongside water well drilling.

Well Drilling Cost for Maintenance

Whilst water wells are relatively low maintenance, to ensure they remain safe to use, annual check-ups are still necessary. These routine inspections ensure adequate water flow, identify any damage to the pumping system, monitor water quality, and more. For more information about checks that you can do yourself, click here!

Contact Us

Whilst well drilling cost differs on a case-to-case basis, there is one thing that remains constant throughout – water wells should always be installed and monitored by a team of specialists, such as the team at Borehole Solutions. If you’d like to find out more about our water well-drilling services, click here or call 01733 200501 to reach our team directly.