El Dorado County Well Statistics 2026: 48 Facts & Data You Need to Know
El Dorado County Well Overview
El Dorado County's private water well infrastructure serves tens of thousands of rural and semi-rural properties across the county's Sierra Nevada foothills and mountains. From the western edge near Folsom Lake to communities near Lake Tahoe, groundwater is essential for properties outside municipal water service areas. Here are the key statistics for 2026:
Source: El Dorado County Environmental Management, California DWR Well Completion Reports
Well Population by Type
| Well Type | Number of Wells | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic/Residential | 26,800 | 82.5% |
| Agricultural/Irrigation | 2,450 | 7.5% |
| Monitoring Wells | 1,625 | 5.0% |
| Public/Community | 975 | 3.0% |
| Industrial/Commercial | 650 | 2.0% |
Key El Dorado County Well Facts
- 78,000+ residents rely on private wells as their primary drinking water source
- 42% of El Dorado County's population depends on domestic wells
- 1,805 square miles of county area with potential well use
- Fractured crystalline rock is the primary aquifer type (granite, metamorphic)
- 187 licensed well drilling contractors serve the region
- Average well age: 28 years
- 22% of domestic wells are over 40 years old
- 18.7% increase in well permits during 2025 vs. 2024
- 398 domestic wells sampled in GAMA groundwater quality study (2003-2004)
Wells by Community
Source: El Dorado County EMD, 2025
Top 12 El Dorado County Areas by Well Count
| Rank | Community/Area | Total Wells | Avg Depth (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgetown Divide | 5,200 | 340 |
| 2 | Cameron Park/Shingle Springs | 4,800 | 285 |
| 3 | Placerville Area | 4,200 | 320 |
| 4 | Pollock Pines/Camino | 3,600 | 425 |
| 5 | El Dorado Hills | 2,900 | 265 |
| 6 | Diamond Springs/El Dorado | 2,750 | 310 |
| 7 | Coloma/Lotus | 2,100 | 295 |
| 8 | Somerset/Fair Play | 1,850 | 380 |
| 9 | Cool/Pilot Hill | 1,680 | 350 |
| 10 | Grizzly Flats | 1,420 | 485 |
| 11 | South Lake Tahoe Area | 1,200 | 180 |
| 12 | Greenwood/Garden Valley | 800 | 365 |
Community Deep Dives
Georgetown Divide
- Total wells: 5,200
- Primary aquifer: Fractured metamorphic/granite
- Average depth: 340 feet
- Typical yield: 3-15 GPM
- Water quality: Generally good; some areas with iron/manganese
- Permit trend: +12% YoY (2025)
- Notes: Higher elevation areas require deeper drilling
Cameron Park/Shingle Springs
- Total wells: 4,800
- Primary aquifer: Fractured granite, some alluvium
- Average depth: 285 feet
- Typical yield: 5-20 GPM
- Water quality: Good; moderate hardness common
- Permit trend: +8% YoY (2025)
- Notes: Some areas transitioning to EID municipal water
Pollock Pines/Camino
- Total wells: 3,600
- Primary aquifer: Fractured granite
- Average depth: 425 feet
- Typical yield: 2-12 GPM
- Water quality: Excellent; low TDS
- Challenges: Higher elevation, harder rock, greater depths
- Apple Hill area relies heavily on wells for orchards and tasting rooms
Permit Statistics & Trends
Source: El Dorado County Environmental Management Department
Permit Types Issued (2026)
| Permit Type | Number | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| New Domestic Well | 178 | 72.7% |
| Replacement/Repair | 34 | 13.9% |
| Well Deepening | 18 | 7.3% |
| New Agricultural Well | 10 | 4.1% |
| Monitoring Well | 5 | 2.0% |
10-Year Permit Trend: El Dorado County
| Year | Permits | Change | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 312 | +31% | Drought peak |
| 2017 | 198 | -37% | Post-drought drop |
| 2018 | 176 | -11% | Normal |
| 2019 | 184 | +5% | Normal |
| 2020 | 215 | +17% | COVID rural migration |
| 2021 | 267 | +24% | Drought + migration |
| 2022 | 248 | -7% | Continued demand |
| 2023 | 189 | -24% | Wet year |
| 2024 | 206 | +9% | Recovery |
| 2025 | 245 | +18.7% | Above average |
Permit Requirements & Fees
- Domestic well permit fee: $1,485 (2026)
- Average processing time: 10-15 business days
- Required setbacks: 100 feet from septic, 50 feet from property lines
- Denial rate: 2.3% (primarily setback/location issues)
- Required inspections: Minimum 2 (casing, final)
- Water quality test required: Yes, within 30 days of completion
- Well completion report: Required to be filed with DWR within 60 days
Groundwater & Aquifer Data
Source: California DWR Bulletin 118, USGS
Groundwater Basin Information
Unlike valley counties with large alluvial basins, El Dorado County's groundwater occurs primarily in fractured bedrock (granite and metamorphic rock). This means:
- Well yields are highly variable and location-dependent
- Storage capacity is limited compared to alluvial basins
- Recharge depends on fracture connectivity to surface
- Water quality is generally excellent due to natural filtration
Groundwater Level Trends (2021-2026)
| Area | 5-Year Change | Seasonal Range | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Foothills | -8.2 ft | 15-25 ft | Moderate decline |
| Central County | -4.5 ft | 20-35 ft | Stable |
| Georgetown Divide | -6.8 ft | 25-40 ft | Slight decline |
| Upper Elevations | +2.1 ft | 30-50 ft | Improving |
| South Lake Tahoe Basin | -1.2 ft | 5-15 ft | Stable |
Aquifer Characteristics by Region
| Region | Rock Type | Typical Yield | Fracture Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Foothills | Granite/Gabbro | 5-25 GPM | Moderate-High |
| Central Metamorphic Belt | Slate/Schist/Greenstone | 3-15 GPM | Variable |
| Eastern Granite | Sierra Nevada Batholith | 2-12 GPM | Low-Moderate |
| Tahoe Basin | Volcanic/Alluvium | 10-50 GPM | High |
Groundwater Statistics
- Primary aquifer type: 85% fractured crystalline rock
- Alluvial aquifers: 15% (river valleys, Tahoe Basin)
- Average recharge: Highly variable, dependent on fracture systems
- USGS monitoring wells: 47 active stations in county
- Static water level range: 20-400 feet below ground surface
Well Depth Statistics by Area
Source: El Dorado County EMD Well Completion Reports
Well Depth by El Dorado Region
| Region | Avg Residential | Typical Range | Deepest on Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Dorado Hills | 265 ft | 150-400 ft | 620 ft |
| Cameron Park | 285 ft | 180-450 ft | 685 ft |
| Placerville | 320 ft | 200-500 ft | 740 ft |
| Georgetown Divide | 340 ft | 200-550 ft | 820 ft |
| Somerset/Fair Play | 380 ft | 250-600 ft | 890 ft |
| Pollock Pines | 425 ft | 300-650 ft | 950 ft |
| Grizzly Flats | 485 ft | 350-750 ft | 1,080 ft |
| South Lake Tahoe | 180 ft | 80-350 ft | 485 ft |
Well Depth Trends
- Average depth increased 52 feet over the past decade in El Dorado County
- Higher elevation areas show greatest increase: +78 feet since 2015
- 14% of new wells drilled in 2025 exceeded 500 feet
- Deepest domestic well: 1,180 feet (Grizzly Flats area, 2024)
- Shallowest productive wells: 80-120 feet in Tahoe Basin alluvium
Yield Statistics by Depth
| Depth Range | % of Wells | Avg Yield (GPM) |
|---|---|---|
| 0-200 ft | 8% | 12 GPM |
| 200-350 ft | 32% | 8 GPM |
| 350-500 ft | 38% | 5 GPM |
| 500-700 ft | 18% | 3 GPM |
| 700+ ft | 4% | 2 GPM |
Drilling Costs by Region (2026)
Source: Industry surveys, local contractor data
Well Costs by El Dorado Area
| Area | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Dorado Hills | $32,000 | $45,000 | $72,000 |
| Cameron Park | $34,000 | $48,000 | $78,000 |
| Placerville | $38,000 | $52,000 | $85,000 |
| Georgetown Divide | $40,000 | $55,000 | $90,000 |
| Pollock Pines | $45,000 | $62,000 | $98,000 |
| Grizzly Flats | $50,000 | $68,000 | $110,000 |
| South Lake Tahoe | $28,000 | $42,000 | $65,000 |
Cost Per Foot by Geology
| Geology Type | Drilling $/ft | Common Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Decomposed Granite | $55-70 | Western foothills, Cameron Park |
| Hard Granite | $75-95 | Higher elevations, eastern areas |
| Metamorphic (Slate/Schist) | $65-85 | Central metamorphic belt |
| Alluvium/Sand | $45-60 | Tahoe Basin, river valleys |
| Mixed/Variable | $60-80 | Transition zones |
Cost Trends
- 24% increase in average well costs from 2022 to 2026
- Steel casing: Up 28% since 2023
- Labor rates: Increased 16% (2024-2026)
- Permit fees: $1,485 (up from $1,125 in 2022)
- Water testing: $195-475 depending on panel
- Hydrogeological study (if required): $2,500-5,000
Water Quality Statistics
Source: GAMA Program, State Water Board
Common Water Quality Issues by Area
| Issue | % of Wells Affected | Common Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Hard Water (>180 mg/L) | 28% | County-wide |
| Iron (>0.3 mg/L) | 12% | Georgetown Divide, metamorphic zones |
| Manganese (>0.05 mg/L) | 9% | Higher elevations |
| Arsenic (>5 ppb) | 4% | Localized areas near old mines |
| Radon (elevated) | 6% | Granite formations |
| Coliform Bacteria | 3% | Older wells, shallow wells |
Water Quality by Region
- Higher Elevations (Pollock Pines, Grizzly Flats): Excellent quality, very low TDS (80-200 mg/L)
- Georgetown Divide: Good quality; some iron/manganese in metamorphic zones
- Central County: Good quality; moderate hardness typical
- Western Foothills: Variable; generally good, some hardness
- South Lake Tahoe: Excellent quality; strict monitoring due to lake protection
Historical Mining Impact
El Dorado County's Gold Rush history means some areas may have elevated arsenic or other metals near historical mining sites. Testing is especially important in:
- Coloma-Lotus area
- Georgetown mining district
- Placerville historic mining areas
📊 Data Sources & Methodology
This statistics page compiles data from the following official sources:
- El Dorado County Environmental Management Department - Well Program permit records, inspection data
- California Department of Water Resources (DWR) - Well Completion Report Database, Bulletin 118
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) - Groundwater Watch, Water Quality Data
- State Water Resources Control Board - GAMA Program water quality data (398 wells sampled 2003-2004)
- El Dorado Irrigation District (EID) - Regional water planning data
- Industry surveys - Local well drilling contractor cost data
Data Collection Period: Statistics reflect data collected through January 2026. Historical trends span 2016-2025.
Geographic Scope: All data is specific to El Dorado County, California.
Limitations: Well completion reports are self-reported by contractors. Some older wells pre-dating permit requirements may not be in county databases. Cost estimates vary based on site-specific conditions.
Updates: This page is updated quarterly as new county and state data becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many private wells are in El Dorado County?
El Dorado County has approximately 32,500 registered private water wells as of 2026. Of these, about 26,800 are active domestic wells serving residential properties, primarily in unincorporated areas of the county where municipal water service is unavailable.
What is the average well depth in El Dorado County?
The average residential well depth in El Dorado County is 385 feet. However, depths vary significantly: the western foothills average 265-320 feet, central county 320-380 feet, and higher elevation areas near Grizzly Flats often require wells exceeding 485 feet due to fractured granite geology.
How much does it cost to drill a well in El Dorado County?
The average cost for a complete residential well system in El Dorado County in 2026 is $52,000. Costs range from $28,000 for shallower wells in favorable areas like Tahoe Basin alluvium to over $110,000 for deep wells in hard granite formations. Drilling alone costs $55-95 per foot depending on geology.
What areas in El Dorado County have the most wells?
Georgetown Divide leads with approximately 5,200 private wells, followed by Cameron Park/Shingle Springs (4,800), Placerville area (4,200), Pollock Pines/Camino (3,600), and El Dorado Hills (2,900). These communities rely heavily on groundwater where municipal water access is limited.
What is the current groundwater trend in El Dorado County?
El Dorado County groundwater levels in fractured rock aquifers have remained relatively stable over the past 5 years, with seasonal fluctuations of 15-40 feet typical. Some areas in the western foothills have seen modest declines of 8-12 feet due to increased development and drought cycles.
Do I need a permit to drill a well in El Dorado County?
Yes, El Dorado County Environmental Management Department requires a well construction permit before drilling. The permit fee is approximately $1,485 for a domestic well (2026). Permits require site plan review, setback verification from septic systems (minimum 100 feet), and post-drilling water quality testing.
Need Well Service Information?
While Southern California Well Service primarily serves San Diego and Riverside Counties, we provide these statistics as a resource for property owners throughout California. For well services in El Dorado County, contact your local licensed C-57 well drilling contractor or the El Dorado County Environmental Management Department.
El Dorado County EMD: (530) 621-5300
For San Diego/Riverside County well services, call us: (760) 440-8520
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