How Long Does It Take to Drill a Well? Timeline & Process Explained

⏱️ "When will I have water?" It's the question on every property owner's mind when planning a new well. Here's the quick answer: the actual drilling takes just 1-3 days for most residential wells. But the complete journey from first phone call to water flowing from your tap? Plan on 2-4 weeks. This detailed timeline breakdown shows you exactly what happens at each phase—so you can plan your schedule, set expectations, and know precisely when that drilling rig will arrive.

Well Drilling Timeline Overview

Understanding the well drilling timeline helps you plan everything from scheduling time off work to arranging temporary water solutions. Here's the typical breakdown for a residential well drilling project in Southern California:

Most homeowners are surprised to learn that the drilling itself is actually the quickest part of the process. The permitting phase and post-drilling completion work often take longer than the actual drilling. Let's examine each phase in detail.

Phase 1: Consultation & Site Assessment (1-2 Days)

Before any drilling happens, a professional assessment of your property is essential. This phase lays the groundwork for a successful well and typically includes:

What Happens During Site Assessment

• Property evaluation: Assessing terrain, access routes, and potential drilling locations
• Geological research: Reviewing local geology maps and water table data
• Neighbor well research: Checking depths and production rates of nearby wells
• Setback verification: Ensuring proper distances from septic systems, property lines, and structures
• Utility marking: Identifying underground utilities to avoid during drilling
• Written estimate: Providing detailed cost breakdown and expected depth

This assessment is crucial for estimating how deep your well needs to be and what the project will cost. A thorough site assessment prevents surprises and delays later in the process.

Phase 2: Permitting Process (1-2 Weeks)

In California, you need a permit before drilling any water well. This is required by the county and helps ensure wells are constructed properly to protect both your water supply and groundwater resources. Here's what to expect:

San Diego County Well Permit Timeline

• Standard permit processing: 5-10 business days
• Permits requiring additional review: 2-4 weeks
• Properties near sensitive areas: May require environmental review (additional time)

What the Permit Application Requires

• Property owner information and authorization
• Site plan showing proposed well location
• Distances to septic systems, property lines, and structures
• Proposed well construction specifications
• Application fee (typically $200-$500 in San Diego County)

At Southern California Well Service, we handle the entire permit process for you. We prepare and submit all paperwork, so you don't have to navigate county bureaucracy. This streamlines the timeline and ensures everything is done correctly the first time.

Phase 3: The Drilling Process (1-3 Days)

Once the permit is approved and we're scheduled on the calendar, it's time for the main event. The actual drilling is what most people picture when they think about getting a well, and it's the most exciting phase of the project.

Day-by-Day: What to Expect During Drilling

Factors That Affect Drilling Time

Several factors can speed up or slow down the drilling process:

• Well depth: Deeper wells take longer—a 600-foot well takes roughly twice as long as a 300-foot well
• Geology: Soft alluvial soils drill quickly; hard granite takes much longer
• Drilling method: Mud rotary is faster in soft formations; air rotary is slower but necessary for hard rock
• Water zones: Multiple thin water zones require more careful drilling than one thick aquifer
• Equipment issues: Bit changes, stuck tools, or mechanical problems can add time

Understanding San Diego well drilling costs helps you see how these factors also affect your budget—time and cost are closely related in well drilling.

Phase 4: Well Development & Testing (1-2 Days)

Drilling creates a hole in the ground, but that's not quite a finished well yet. Well development is the process of cleaning and preparing the well to produce its maximum amount of clean water.

What Happens During Well Development

• Surging: Moving water forcefully up and down to clear fine particles from the formation
• Air lifting: Using compressed air to pump water and sediment from the well
• Pumping test: Running a test pump to measure flow rate and drawdown
• Water clearing: Pumping until water runs clear and sediment-free

This phase is critical for long-term well performance. A properly developed well will produce more water and require less maintenance over its lifetime. Rushing this step leads to problems like sand in the water or reduced flow rates.

Phase 5: Pump Installation (1-2 Days)

With the well drilled and developed, it's time to install the equipment that will deliver water to your home. Pump installation is a separate phase that typically happens 1-3 days after drilling completes.

Pump Installation Process

• Pump selection: Choosing the right pump size based on well depth and household demand
• Pump and pipe installation: Lowering submersible pump to proper depth
• Pitless adapter: Installing the fitting that connects well to underground water line
• Pressure tank: Setting up 40-80 gallon tank in pump house or basement
• Electrical connections: Wiring pump to power supply with proper controls
• System testing: Verifying pressure, flow, and automatic cycling

Visit our well drilling services page to learn more about our complete turnkey installations that include professional pump setup.

Phase 6: Water Quality Testing (3-5 Days for Results)

Before drinking your new well water, it's essential to test it. While most San Diego County groundwater is excellent quality, testing confirms your water is safe and identifies any treatment needs.

Standard Well Water Tests

• Coliform bacteria: Ensures no harmful bacteria present
• Nitrates: Checks for agricultural or septic contamination
• General mineral analysis: Iron, manganese, hardness, pH, TDS
• Optional expanded tests: Arsenic, fluoride, or other contaminants if needed

Test results typically come back within 3-5 business days. Most wells pass with flying colors, but if issues are found, treatment systems can address them. Learn more about well water quality compared to city water.

What Can Delay Your Well Drilling Project?

While we always aim for the fastest possible timeline, several factors can extend your project:

Common Delays and How to Avoid Them

• Permit complications: Incomplete applications or properties near sensitive areas. Prevention: Work with an experienced driller who handles permits.
• Scheduling backlog: High-demand seasons mean longer wait times. Prevention: Schedule during fall/winter when possible.
• Site access issues: Wet weather, narrow roads, or unprepared access. Prevention: Prepare access road before scheduled date.
• Deeper than expected: Sometimes we need to drill deeper to find adequate water. Reality: This is unpredictable but happens occasionally.
• Equipment problems: Mechanical issues or difficult drilling conditions. Reality: Professional drillers have backup equipment and experience.

Best Time of Year to Drill a Well

In Southern California, wells can be drilled year-round thanks to our mild climate. However, timing your project strategically can provide advantages:

Seasonal Considerations

• Late summer/fall (August-November): Often shortest wait times, dry conditions for site access
• Winter (December-February): Good availability, occasional rain delays possible
• Spring (March-May): Busy season begins, moderate demand
• Summer (June-August): Highest demand, longest scheduling delays

If you're flexible on timing, booking your project for late fall often provides the fastest overall timeline from first call to flowing water.

How to Prepare for Your Well Drilling Day

A little preparation on your part helps ensure drilling day goes smoothly:

• Clear the access route: Remove vehicles, trim overhanging branches, fill major potholes
• Mark the drilling location: Ensure the agreed spot is accessible
• Notify neighbors: Drilling is noisy—a heads-up prevents complaints
• Secure pets: Keep animals away from the work area
• Water for drilling: Have a water source available (garden hose connection)
• Be available: We may need to reach you for decisions during drilling

Frequently Asked Questions