SC By SCWS Team | February 2, 2026 | 14 min read
Agricultural Irrigation Well Cost in California
Planning an agricultural irrigation well for your California farm or ranch? Agricultural wells are a significant investment—typically $25,000 to $100,000 or more—but they're often essential for reliable crop production in our semi-arid climate. This comprehensive guide breaks down every cost component so you can budget accurately and avoid surprises.
💰 Quick Cost Summary: Agricultural Irrigation Wells
- • Small farm well (under 20 acres): $25,000 - $45,000
- • Medium capacity well (20-50 acres): $45,000 - $75,000
- • High-capacity well (50+ acres): $75,000 - $150,000+
- • Drilling alone: $35 - $100/foot (depth × diameter dependent)
- • Irrigation pump system: $5,000 - $25,000+
What Makes Agricultural Wells Different?
Agricultural irrigation wells differ significantly from residential domestic wells in several key ways:
Domestic Wells
- • 4-6 inch diameter typical
- • 5-20 GPM production
- • 1/2 to 1 HP pump
- • Intermittent daily use
- • Cost: $15,000 - $35,000
Agricultural Wells
- • 6-12 inch diameter typical
- • 50-500+ GPM production
- • 5-100+ HP pump
- • Extended daily runtime
- • Cost: $25,000 - $100,000+
The higher costs for agricultural wells reflect larger diameter drilling, heavy-duty pumping equipment, higher electrical requirements, and the need for sustained high-volume water production.
Complete Cost Breakdown
1. Drilling Costs: $15,000 - $60,000+
Drilling represents the largest single cost component. Agricultural wells require larger diameter holes and often deeper drilling than domestic wells.
| Well Diameter | Cost Per Foot | Typical Use | GPM Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-inch | $35 - $55 | Small farms, drip irrigation | 20-75 GPM |
| 8-inch | $50 - $75 | Medium farms, sprinklers | 75-200 GPM |
| 10-inch | $65 - $90 | Large operations | 200-400 GPM |
| 12-inch+ | $80 - $120+ | Industrial agriculture | 400-1000+ GPM |
Example calculation: A 400-foot, 8-inch diameter agricultural well would cost approximately $20,000 - $30,000 for drilling alone.
2. Casing and Screen: $5,000 - $20,000
Agricultural wells typically use steel casing for durability. Casing costs depend on diameter, depth, and material:
- 6-inch steel casing: $15-$25 per foot installed
- 8-inch steel casing: $25-$40 per foot installed
- 10-inch steel casing: $35-$55 per foot installed
- 12-inch steel casing: $50-$75 per foot installed
- Stainless steel screen: $50-$150 per foot (partial depth)
Note: Not all of the well depth requires casing—typically the upper portion through unstable formations and the screen zone at the bottom.
3. Pump and Motor: $5,000 - $35,000
Agricultural irrigation pumps must handle high volumes continuously. Pump costs scale with capacity:
⚡ Irrigation Pump Costs by Capacity
25-50 GPM
$3,000 - $6,000
5-10 HP submersible, small drip systems
50-100 GPM
$6,000 - $12,000
10-25 HP, medium irrigation systems
100-250 GPM
$12,000 - $20,000
25-50 HP, sprinkler/pivot systems
250-500+ GPM
$20,000 - $35,000+
50-100+ HP, large-scale operations
💡 VFD Drives Add Value
Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) cost $2,000-$8,000 extra but can reduce electricity costs by 20-40% by adjusting pump speed to actual demand. Often pays for itself within 2-3 years on high-usage agricultural wells.
4. Electrical Infrastructure: $3,000 - $15,000+
Agricultural pumps require significant electrical service. Costs depend on pump size and distance from the electrical panel:
- Electrical panel upgrade: $1,500 - $5,000 (if needed for larger service)
- Pump control panel: $1,000 - $3,500
- Wiring (pump to panel): $8 - $20 per foot
- New utility service: $5,000 - $25,000+ (if 3-phase required)
- Generator hookup: $1,500 - $4,000 (optional backup)
Important: Pumps over 15-20 HP typically require 3-phase power. If your property only has single-phase service, adding 3-phase can cost $10,000-$30,000+ depending on distance from utility infrastructure. Some farmers opt for phase converters ($3,000-$8,000) as an alternative.
5. Well Development: $1,500 - $5,000
Proper well development is critical for agricultural wells to achieve maximum sustainable yield:
- Basic surging and pumping: $1,500 - $2,500
- Air-lift development: $2,000 - $3,500
- Chemical treatment (if needed): $500 - $1,500 additional
- Extended development (low-yield formations): $3,000 - $5,000
6. Permits and Engineering: $500 - $5,000+
California has increasingly strict groundwater regulations, especially under SGMA:
- County well permit: $300 - $800
- Environmental review (some areas): $500 - $2,000
- Groundwater Sustainability Agency fees: $0 - $2,000+ (varies by basin)
- Hydrogeological study (sometimes required): $2,000 - $10,000
- Well completion report filing: Typically included with permit
⚠️ SGMA Considerations
Under California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, some critically overdrafted basins have moratoriums on new agricultural wells or require offset pumping credits. Check with your local Groundwater Sustainability Agency before planning your project.
Calculating Your Water Needs
Before drilling, determine how much water your operation actually needs. This drives well diameter, pump size, and overall costs.
Water Requirements by Irrigation Type
| Irrigation Method | GPM per Acre | Efficiency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drip Irrigation | 1-3 GPM | 90-95% | Orchards, vineyards, row crops |
| Micro-sprinklers | 3-5 GPM | 80-90% | Orchards, nurseries |
| Sprinkler Systems | 5-10 GPM | 70-85% | Pasture, field crops |
| Center Pivot | 4-8 GPM | 75-90% | Large field crops |
| Flood Irrigation | 15-25 GPM | 50-70% | Rice, some orchards |
Crop Water Requirements
Annual water needs vary significantly by crop (measured in acre-feet per year):
- Avocados: 3-4 acre-feet/year
- Citrus: 2.5-3.5 acre-feet/year
- Wine grapes: 1-2 acre-feet/year
- Table grapes: 2-3 acre-feet/year
- Almonds: 3-4 acre-feet/year
- Vegetable crops: 2-3 acre-feet/year
- Pasture: 3-5 acre-feet/year
📊 Example Calculation
A 15-acre avocado grove needs approximately 45-60 acre-feet annually. At peak summer demand (July-August), this might require 0.4-0.5 acre-feet per day = approximately 130,000-160,000 gallons/day. Running 12 hours daily, you'd need 180-220 GPM capacity. A 200 GPM well with 8-inch casing would be appropriate.
Total Project Cost Examples
Here are realistic total costs for typical Southern California agricultural well projects:
Small Farm / Hobby Farm (5-15 acres)
Drip irrigation for orchard or vineyard
- • Well: 300 ft × 6-inch = $13,500 - $16,500
- • Casing: $4,500 - $7,500
- • Pump (50 GPM, 10 HP): $5,000 - $7,000
- • Electrical: $2,500 - $4,000
- • Development & permits: $2,500 - $4,000
Total: $28,000 - $39,000
Medium Farm (20-40 acres)
Mixed irrigation for diverse crops
- • Well: 400 ft × 8-inch = $20,000 - $30,000
- • Casing: $10,000 - $16,000
- • Pump (150 GPM, 30 HP): $12,000 - $16,000
- • Electrical (may need 3-phase): $6,000 - $12,000
- • Development & permits: $3,500 - $6,000
Total: $51,500 - $80,000
Large Agricultural Operation (50+ acres)
High-capacity well for sprinkler or pivot system
- • Well: 500 ft × 10-inch = $32,500 - $45,000
- • Casing: $17,500 - $27,500
- • Pump (350 GPM, 75 HP): $22,000 - $30,000
- • Electrical (3-phase required): $12,000 - $25,000
- • Development & permits: $5,000 - $10,000
Total: $89,000 - $137,500
Annual Operating Costs
Beyond installation, budget for ongoing operational expenses:
Electricity Costs
Electricity is typically the largest ongoing expense. Costs depend on pump horsepower, runtime, and utility rates (currently $0.15-$0.25/kWh for agricultural rates in Southern California).
| Pump HP | kWh per Hour | Cost per Hour | Annual (1,500 hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 HP | ~8 kWh | $1.20 - $2.00 | $1,800 - $3,000 |
| 25 HP | ~20 kWh | $3.00 - $5.00 | $4,500 - $7,500 |
| 50 HP | ~40 kWh | $6.00 - $10.00 | $9,000 - $15,000 |
| 100 HP | ~80 kWh | $12.00 - $20.00 | $18,000 - $30,000 |
Maintenance and Repairs
Budget for regular maintenance and occasional repairs:
- Annual inspection: $200 - $500
- Pump maintenance: $500 - $1,500/year
- Pump replacement (every 10-20 years): Amortized $500 - $2,000/year
- Well rehabilitation (every 10-20 years): $5,000 - $20,000
- Unexpected repairs reserve: $500 - $1,000/year
Groundwater Fees (SGMA Basins)
In groundwater basins subject to SGMA sustainability plans, ongoing pumping fees may apply:
- Reporting fees: $50 - $500/year
- Pumping fees: $10 - $50+ per acre-foot (varies widely by basin)
- Example: Pumping 50 acre-feet in a basin charging $25/AF = $1,250/year
Ways to Reduce Agricultural Well Costs
1. Right-Size Your System
Don't overbuild. Carefully calculate actual water needs and size the well and pump accordingly. Oversizing increases both capital and operating costs.
2. Choose Efficient Irrigation
Drip irrigation requires far less water (and smaller wells/pumps) than sprinkler or flood systems. Converting to drip can allow a smaller, less expensive well.
3. Install a VFD
Variable Frequency Drives cost more upfront but dramatically reduce electricity usage by matching pump output to actual demand.
4. Consider Solar Power
Solar-powered pump systems have high upfront costs ($15,000-$50,000+ for agricultural scale) but can eliminate or dramatically reduce ongoing electricity costs. Payback periods of 5-10 years are common.
5. Apply for USDA Programs
The USDA offers several programs that may help offset agricultural well costs:
- EQIP: Environmental Quality Incentives Program may cover irrigation efficiency improvements
- FSA loans: Farm Service Agency offers low-interest loans for farm improvements
- Beginning Farmer programs: Additional assistance for new farmers
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an agricultural irrigation well cost in California?
Agricultural irrigation wells in California typically cost $25,000 to $100,000+ depending on depth, diameter, pump capacity, and location. A basic 300-foot well with moderate pump runs $25,000-$45,000, while deep high-capacity wells can exceed $100,000.
What size well do I need for agricultural irrigation?
Agricultural wells typically require 6-inch to 12-inch diameter casing depending on water needs. Small farms (under 10 acres) often use 6-inch wells producing 20-50 GPM. Larger operations may need 8-12 inch wells capable of 100-500+ GPM for center pivot or flood irrigation.
How many gallons per minute do I need for farm irrigation?
Water requirements vary by crop and irrigation method. Drip irrigation needs 1-3 GPM per acre, sprinkler systems need 5-10 GPM per acre, and flood irrigation requires 15-25 GPM per acre. A 20-acre drip-irrigated farm might need 40-60 GPM, while the same acreage with sprinklers needs 100-200 GPM.
Do I need a permit for an agricultural well in California?
Yes, California requires permits for all new wells including agricultural wells. Requirements vary by county and groundwater basin. SGMA areas may have additional restrictions. Permit costs range from $300 to $2,000+ depending on location and basin management requirements.
What is the annual operating cost for an irrigation well?
Annual operating costs include electricity ($2,000-$15,000+ depending on usage), maintenance ($500-$2,000), and potential SGMA groundwater fees ($10-$50 per acre-foot in some basins). A 50-GPM well running 8 hours daily during growing season might cost $3,000-$6,000 annually in electricity alone.
How deep are agricultural wells in Southern California?
Agricultural wells in Southern California range from 200-800+ feet depending on location. Valley floors typically range 200-400 feet, foothill areas 300-500 feet, and some inland valleys require 500-800+ feet. Deeper wells cost more but may access more reliable aquifers.
Can I convert a domestic well to agricultural use?
Converting domestic wells to agricultural use is often impractical. Domestic wells (typically 4-inch diameter, 5-15 GPM) lack the capacity for significant irrigation. Agricultural wells need larger diameter casing and higher-capacity pumps. You may need a separate agricultural well permit.
How long does it take to drill an agricultural well?
Drilling an agricultural well typically takes 3-7 days depending on depth and geology. Add 1-2 days for pump installation and 1-2 weeks for permitting. Total project timeline from permit application to water flowing is usually 4-8 weeks, though permit delays can extend this significantly in some areas.
Ready to Plan Your Agricultural Well Project?
Southern California Well Service has drilled agricultural wells throughout San Diego, Riverside, and surrounding counties for over 20 years. We understand the unique water demands of California agriculture and can help you design the most cost-effective system for your operation. Contact us for a site evaluation and detailed quote.
