Kern County Well Statistics 2026: 48 Facts & Data You Need to Know
Kern County Well Overview
Source: California DWR Well Completion Reports, Kern County Environmental Health
Kern County is California's second-largest agricultural producer and has one of the state's largest well populations. The county sits primarily within the critically overdrafted Kern County Subbasin, making groundwater management a critical issue under SGMA (Sustainable Groundwater Management Act).
Key Kern County Well Facts
- 68,000+ registered wells - second only to Fresno County
- 235,000+ residents rely on private wells for drinking water
- Critically overdrafted basin under SGMA designation
- 1,089 new well permits issued in 2026
- Agriculture uses 85%+ of groundwater pumped
- Land subsidence of 1-2 feet per decade in some areas
- Average well age: 28 years
- Deepening trend: Avg depth increased 95 feet since 2015
Well Population by Type
| Well Type | Est. Number | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural/Irrigation | 38,080 | 56% |
| Domestic/Residential | 20,400 | 30% |
| Municipal/Public Supply | 4,760 | 7% |
| Industrial/Commercial | 2,720 | 4% |
| Monitoring Wells | 2,040 | 3% |
Wells by Community
| Area | Est. Wells | Avg Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield (metro) | 18,360 | 385 ft | Mix of domestic/municipal |
| Shafter/Wasco | 8,840 | 485 ft | Heavy agricultural |
| Delano | 7,480 | 465 ft | Agricultural hub |
| Arvin/Lamont | 6,120 | 425 ft | Agricultural |
| Tehachapi | 4,760 | 345 ft | Mountain valley |
| Mojave/Rosamond | 4,080 | 385 ft | Desert region |
| Lost Hills/Buttonwillow | 5,440 | 585 ft | Deep agricultural |
| McFarland | 3,400 | 445 ft | Agricultural |
| Taft/Maricopa | 2,720 | 365 ft | Oil/agricultural |
| Rural/Other | 6,800 | 425 ft | Varies |
Groundwater & SGMA Status
Source: California DWR, State Water Board
Groundwater Statistics
- Annual overdraft: Approximately 750,000 acre-feet
- Groundwater level decline: 2-8 feet/year in many areas
- Total basin storage: ~50 million acre-feet capacity
- Land subsidence: Up to 2 feet/decade in western Kern
- SGMA deadline: Sustainability required by 2040
- Pumping allocations: Being implemented by GSAs
SGMA Groundwater Sustainability Agencies
- Kern Groundwater Authority
- Kern County Water Agency
- Multiple irrigation districts
- City of Bakersfield
Well Depth Statistics
Source: Kern County Well Completion Reports
| Area | Residential Avg | Agricultural Avg | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield Metro | 385 ft | 650 ft | 200-900 ft |
| Western Kern (Buttonwillow) | 485 ft | 900 ft | 300-1,400 ft |
| Delano Area | 465 ft | 800 ft | 250-1,200 ft |
| Tehachapi Valley | 345 ft | 450 ft | 150-600 ft |
| Mojave/Desert | 385 ft | 500 ft | 200-800 ft |
Depth Trends
- Average depth increased 95 feet over past decade
- 18% of new wells exceed 600 feet
- Deepest domestic well: 1,350 feet (Lost Hills area)
- Agricultural wells: Routinely 800-1,400 feet in western Kern
Well Drilling Costs (2026)
| Area | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield Metro | $28,000 | $42,000 | $68,000 |
| Western Kern | $45,000 | $65,000 | $95,000 |
| Delano/Wasco | $38,000 | $55,000 | $85,000 |
| Tehachapi | $28,000 | $40,000 | $62,000 |
| Mojave/Desert | $32,000 | $48,000 | $72,000 |
Cost per Foot
- Alluvial formations: $35-55/foot
- Clay/consolidated: $45-65/foot
- Deep wells (>600 ft): $55-80/foot
Water Quality Statistics
| Parameter | % Affected | Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenic (>10 ppb) | 18% | Western Kern, some areas |
| Nitrate (>5 mg/L) | 22% | Agricultural areas |
| TDS (>500 mg/L) | 35% | Widespread |
| Hardness (>180 mg/L) | 55% | County-wide |
| 1,2,3-TCP | 8% | Former agricultural |
| Uranium | 5% | Select areas |
We service all major pump brands including Franklin Electric, Grundfos, Goulds (Xylem), and Sta-Rite (Pentair). Our trucks carry common parts and components for same-day repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many wells are in Kern County?
Kern County has approximately 68,000 registered water wells, second only to Fresno County in California.
What is the average well depth in Kern County?
Average residential depth is 350-500 feet. Agricultural wells average 600-1,200 feet, with some exceeding 1,400 feet in western Kern.
How much does it cost to drill a well in Kern County?
A complete residential well costs $35,000-$55,000. Costs are higher than other regions due to increased depth requirements.
What is SGMA and how does it affect Kern County?
SGMA (Sustainable Groundwater Management Act) designates the Kern County Subbasin as critically overdrafted. GSAs are implementing pumping allocations and sustainability plans by 2040.
Do I need a permit for a well in Kern County?
Yes, all wells require permits from Kern County Environmental Health. SGMA may require additional GSA registration.
Need Well Service in Kern County?
While Southern California Well Service primarily serves San Diego and Riverside Counties, we can provide referrals for Kern County well services.
Contact us: (760) 440-8520
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