Utah Water Well
Drilling Cost
The average residential well in Utah is 250 feet deep and costs $10,500 in 2026. Drilling rates range from $28 to $65 per foot, with total project costs varying based on depth, geology, and pump system.
Avg. Well Depth
250 ft
Cost / Foot
$28–$65
Total Project
$10,500
vs. National
40% above avg.
Utah Well Drilling Cost by Depth
| Well Depth | Drilling Only | Complete System | Est. Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 ft | $2,800–$6,500 | $7,600–$11,300 | $9,000 |
| 150 ft | $4,200–$9,750 | $9,400–$14,950 | $11,500 |
| 200 ft | $5,600–$13,000 | $11,200–$18,600 | $14,000 |
| 300 ft | $8,400–$19,500 | $14,800–$25,900 | $19,000 |
| 400 ft | $11,200–$26,000 | $18,400–$33,200 | $24,000 |
| 500 ft | $14,000–$32,500 | $22,000–$40,500 | $29,000 |
*Drilling only = drilling labor per foot. Complete system includes casing, pump, pressure tank, electrical, and permits. Costs are Utah estimates for 2026.
Utah Well System Component Costs
| Service | Low | High | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Well Casing — PVC (250 ft) | $1,500 | $2,750 | $2,000 |
| Well Casing — Steel (250 ft) | $7,500 | $32,500 | $16,250 |
| Submersible Pump | $300 | $2,000 | $1,000 |
| Pressure Tank | $500 | $2,000 | $1,100 |
| Electrical Hookup | $1,000 | $3,000 | $1,800 |
| Permits | $100 | $400 | Varies |
| Water Quality Testing | $50 | $500 | $200 |
*Component costs based on Utah average well depth of 250 ft. Steel casing is typically required for bedrock wells; PVC is used in unconsolidated formations.
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Itemized Cost Estimate
This estimate is 76% above the Utah average of $10,500
Estimates are approximate. Actual costs depend on site conditions and contractor pricing.
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Utah Geology & Aquifers
Utah's Wasatch Front sits on thick alluvial fan deposits shed from the Wasatch Range, providing productive aquifers in the urban corridor. The Colorado Plateau has deep sandstone aquifers, while the Great Basin features basin-fill alluvium in isolated valleys between mountain ranges.
Understanding your local geology is important because rock type directly affects drilling cost. Hard crystalline rock (granite, gneiss) costs more to penetrate than soft sedimentary formations (sandstone, limestone) or unconsolidated deposits (sand, gravel). Your well driller can estimate costs based on nearby well logs.
Primary Aquifer
Basin Fill Aquifers (Salt Lake Valley, Cache Valley) / Navajo Sandstone Aquifer / Wasatch Formation
Water table depth: 50-200 feet along the Wasatch Front; 100-500 feet in eastern Utah; artesian conditions in some mountain valleys
Best Drilling Season
April through November in most areas; year-round in the St. George area of southern Utah
Population on well water: About 10% of Utah households use private wells, concentrated in rural areas of Cache Valley, Wasatch Back, and Iron County
Why Well Depth Varies in Utah
Wells in Utah range from 60 to 700 feet deep. The wide range is driven by regional differences in geology, water table depth, and aquifer type. A well in one part of the state may cost significantly more or less than another area just 50 miles away.
60 ft
Shallowest typical wells
Usually in areas with high water tables, sandy soils, or alluvial aquifers near rivers
250 ft
State average depth
Typical residential well for most Utah locations
700 ft
Deepest typical wells
Usually in arid areas, mountain terrain, or where shallow aquifers are depleted
Utah Well Drilling Permits & Regulations
Utah requires all water well drillers to be licensed by the Division of Water Rights. The licensing program includes testing on drilling methods and state water law. No homeowner drilling exemption.
Permit Authority
- Authority
- Utah Division of Water Rights (State Engineer's Office); all wells require a drilling permit (start card) before construction
- Permit Cost
- $100-$400
Water Rights
- Doctrine
- Prior Appropriation; domestic wells may be drilled under a stock watering or domestic exemption, but the State Engineer can deny applications in over-appropriated basins
Well Water Quality in Utah
Well water quality in Utah varies by location and aquifer type. Testing your water at least annually is recommended, and a comprehensive test should be done before using a new well.
Common Water Quality Issues
total dissolved solids
Treatment: reverse osmosis system
hardness
Treatment: water softener
arsenic
Treatment: reverse osmosis or adsorption media filter
uranium
Treatment: reverse osmosis or ion exchange system
selenium
Treatment: appropriate treatment system
sulfate
Treatment: appropriate treatment system
Testing Recommendations
- Before first use: Full panel including bacteria, nitrates, pH, and state-specific contaminants ($150–$500)
- Annually: Bacteria (coliform) and nitrate testing at minimum ($50–$100)
- After flooding or repairs: Bacteria test to confirm well integrity ($25–$50)
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Well Drilling Costs by City in Utah
Well drilling costs vary by location within Utah. Select a city for local pricing details.
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