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Water Well Calculator — Depth, Pump & Cost Estimator

Calculate well drilling costs, pump requirements, and water yield for your property

Total Well Cost

$8,950

GPM Needed

0.8

Storage

235 gal

Drawdown

42 ft

Estimated Total Cost

$8,950

Drilling

$7,000

Casing

$750

Pump

$1,200

Well Performance

Peak GPM Needed0.8
Estimated Yield5 GPM
Drawdown Level42 ft
Bore Storage235 gal

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Example Calculations

1Standard 200-ft Drilled Well with Submersible Pump

Inputs

Well TypeDrilled Well
Depth200 ft
Casing50 ft
Pump TypeSubmersible
Daily Usage300 GPD

Result

Total Cost$8,950
Drilling$7,000
Casing$750
Pump$1,200

Drilling: 200 ft x $35/ft = $7,000. Casing: 50 ft x $15/ft = $750. Submersible pump: $1,200. Total = $8,950.

2Shallow Driven Point Well for Small Cabin

Inputs

Well TypeDriven Point
Depth25 ft
Casing25 ft
Pump TypeJet Pump (Shallow)
Daily Usage150 GPD

Result

Total Cost$1,125
Drilling$250
Casing$375
Pump$500

Drilling: 25 ft x $10/ft = $250. Casing: 25 ft x $15/ft = $375. Shallow jet pump: $500. Total = $1,125.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

How much does it cost to drill a water well?

Well drilling costs vary by type and depth. A standard drilled well costs $25–$65 per foot, with the national average around $35/ft. A 200-foot drilled well typically costs $7,000–$12,000 including casing and pump. Driven point wells are cheapest at $10/ft but limited to 30 feet.

  • Drilled well: $25–$65/ft, typical 100–400 ft depth
  • Driven point: $10/ft, max 30 ft, cheapest option
  • Dug well: $50/ft, max 30 ft, large diameter
  • Bored well: $25/ft, typical 50–100 ft depth
  • Add $500–$1,500 for pump installation
Well TypeCost per FootTypical DepthCasing Diameter
Drilled$35200 ft6"
Driven Point$1030 ft2"
Dug$5030 ft36"
Bored$25100 ft18"
Q

How deep should a residential water well be?

Well depth depends on the local water table and geology. Most residential drilled wells are 100–400 feet deep. The water table depth varies greatly by region, from 10 feet in wet areas to 300+ feet in arid regions. A well driller will log the geology to find the best aquifer.

  • Average residential well depth: 100–300 feet
  • Shallow wells (<50 ft) are more susceptible to contamination
  • Deep wells (200+ ft) generally have more consistent yield
  • Local well driller reports show typical depths for your area
  • Permit may require minimum depth for drinking water
Q

How many gallons per minute does a household need?

A typical household needs 3–5 GPM (gallons per minute) during peak usage. The average family of 4 uses about 300 gallons per day, but peak demand during morning showers can require 10+ GPM for short periods. A well with 5 GPM and a pressure tank handles most homes.

  • Average daily use: 50–80 gallons per person per day
  • Peak demand: 10–15 GPM during morning rush hour
  • Minimum recommended well yield: 3 GPM for a small home
  • 5 GPM handles a 3–4 bedroom home comfortably
  • Pressure tank stores 20–40 gallons to handle peak bursts
Q

What type of well pump should I choose?

The pump type depends on well depth and water usage. Submersible pumps work best for deep wells (up to 400 ft) and are the most common. Shallow jet pumps work up to 25 feet, deep jet pumps up to 110 feet. Hand pumps are a backup option for off-grid properties.

  • Submersible: most reliable, $800–$2,000, up to 400 ft depth
  • Jet pump (shallow): $400–$800, up to 25 ft, sits above ground
  • Jet pump (deep): $600–$1,200, up to 110 ft, uses two pipes
  • Hand pump: $200–$500, backup power-free option, up to 200 ft
  • Solar pumps: $1,500–$3,000, ideal for off-grid homesteads

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Last Updated: Mar 20, 2026

This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.

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