Nevada Water Well Statistics 2026: 45 Facts & Data You Need to Know
Nevada Water Well Overview
Nevada is the driest state in the nation, making groundwater resources critically important. The Nevada Division of Water Resources (NDWR) manages water rights and well permits throughout the state's 256 designated groundwater basins.
Source: Nevada Division of Water Resources Well Database
Well Population by Type
| Well Type | Number of Wells | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic | 72,450 | 63.0% |
| Irrigation/Agricultural | 23,000 | 20.0% |
| Municipal/Public Supply | 9,200 | 8.0% |
| Monitoring Wells | 6,900 | 6.0% |
| Industrial/Commercial | 3,450 | 3.0% |
Key Nevada Well Facts
- 250,000 Nevadans rely on private wells for drinking water (USGS, 2024)
- 8% of Nevada's population uses private well water
- 256 designated groundwater basins managed by NDWR
- Groundwater supplies 30% of Nevada's total water use
- 2.4 million acre-feet of groundwater withdrawn annually
- 3,200+ new well permits issued in 2026
- Average well age: 26 years
- 185 licensed well drilling contractors in Nevada
- Las Vegas Valley: Largest groundwater basin by population served
Wells by Nevada County
Source: NDWR Well Database, 2025
Nevada Counties by Well Count
| Rank | County | Total Wells | Avg Depth (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clark | 28,750 | 485 |
| 2 | Washoe | 18,400 | 365 |
| 3 | Elko | 12,650 | 285 |
| 4 | Lyon | 9,200 | 245 |
| 5 | Douglas | 8,050 | 295 |
| 6 | Churchill | 6,900 | 175 |
| 7 | Nye | 6,325 | 420 |
| 8 | Humboldt | 5,750 | 265 |
| 9 | Pershing | 3,450 | 195 |
| 10 | White Pine | 2,875 | 385 |
| 11 | Lander | 2,530 | 245 |
| 12 | Lincoln | 2,300 | 355 |
| 13 | Carson City | 2,185 | 225 |
| 14 | Mineral | 1,725 | 285 |
| 15 | Eureka | 1,380 | 265 |
| 16 | Storey | 1,150 | 445 |
| 17 | Esmeralda | 920 | 325 |
Las Vegas Valley (Clark County)
- Total wells: 28,750
- Primary aquifer: Las Vegas Valley alluvial basin
- Average depth: 485 feet
- Note: Most residents served by Southern Nevada Water Authority; private wells mainly in outlying areas
Reno/Sparks Area (Washoe County)
- Total wells: 18,400
- Primary aquifer: Truckee Meadows alluvial basin
- Average depth: 365 feet
- Water quality: Generally good; some arsenic in certain areas
Groundwater Statistics
Source: NDWR, USGS Nevada Water Science Center
Groundwater Use by Sector
| Sector | Annual Use (AF) | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Irrigation | 1,680,000 | 70% |
| Municipal/Domestic | 480,000 | 20% |
| Mining/Industrial | 168,000 | 7% |
| Other | 72,000 | 3% |
Major Nevada Groundwater Basins
| Basin | Perennial Yield (AF/yr) | Current Use | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Valley | 25,000 | 85,000 | Over-appropriated |
| Pahrump Valley | 20,000 | 28,000 | Over-appropriated |
| Diamond Valley | 30,000 | 76,000 | Critical |
| Humboldt River Basin | 115,000 | 82,000 | Adequate |
| Smith Valley | 22,000 | 32,000 | Over-appropriated |
Groundwater Conditions
- Over-appropriated basins: 35 basins designated as over-appropriated
- Diamond Valley: First basin in US to implement mandatory pumping reductions
- Las Vegas Valley: Relies heavily on imported Colorado River water; groundwater supplemental
- Recharge rate: Nevada averages only 9 inches of precipitation annually (lowest in US)
Well Depth Statistics
Source: NDWR Well Logs Database
Well Depths by Region
| Region | Domestic Avg | Irrigation Avg | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Valley | 485 ft | 650 ft | 200-1,000 ft |
| Reno/Truckee Meadows | 365 ft | 450 ft | 150-700 ft |
| Pahrump Valley | 380 ft | 520 ft | 200-800 ft |
| Elko Area | 285 ft | 380 ft | 120-550 ft |
| Carson Valley | 265 ft | 350 ft | 100-500 ft |
| Rural Valleys | 350 ft | 480 ft | 150-900 ft |
Well Drilling Costs (2026)
Source: Nevada Well Drillers Association
Drilling Costs by Region
| Region | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Area | $30,000 | $42,000 | $65,000 |
| Reno/Sparks | $24,000 | $34,000 | $52,000 |
| Pahrump | $25,000 | $35,000 | $55,000 |
| Carson City Area | $20,000 | $28,000 | $45,000 |
| Rural Nevada | $18,000 | $26,000 | $42,000 |
Cost per Foot
- Alluvial formations: $30-50/foot
- Consolidated rock: $45-70/foot
- Hard rock/granite: $55-80/foot
Water Quality Statistics
Source: Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, USGS
Common Water Quality Issues
| Parameter | % Affected | Common Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenic (>10 ppb) | 18% | Western Nevada, some valleys |
| TDS (>500 mg/L) | 40% | Statewide |
| Hardness (>180 mg/L) | 52% | Most areas |
| Fluoride (>2 mg/L) | 8% | Various locations |
| Uranium | 4% | Granite formations |
📊 Data Sources & Methodology
- Nevada Division of Water Resources (NDWR) - Well permits and water rights data
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) - Nevada Water Science Center
- Nevada Division of Environmental Protection - Water quality data
- Nevada Well Drillers Association - Industry cost data
Last Updated: February 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many water wells are in Nevada?
Nevada has approximately 115,000 registered water wells according to the Nevada Division of Water Resources. Clark County (Las Vegas) has the most with about 28,750, followed by Washoe County (Reno) with 18,400.
What is the average well depth in Nevada?
The average residential well depth in Nevada is 350-450 feet. Las Vegas Valley wells average 485 feet, while rural Nevada wells typically range from 200-400 feet.
How much does it cost to drill a well in Nevada?
A complete residential well system in Nevada costs $22,000-$40,000 on average. Las Vegas area wells are typically more expensive ($30,000-$50,000) due to deeper drilling requirements.
Do you need a permit to drill a well in Nevada?
Yes, all wells in Nevada require a permit from the Nevada Division of Water Resources. Domestic wells using less than 2 acre-feet per year qualify for simplified domestic well permits.
What percentage of Nevadans rely on well water?
Approximately 250,000 Nevadans (8% of population) rely on private wells. This percentage is higher in rural counties: Elko (35%), Lyon (28%), and Douglas (22%).
Need Well Service Information?
Southern California Well Service primarily serves San Diego and Riverside Counties in California. For Nevada service, contact the Nevada Division of Water Resources at (775) 684-2800.
California service: (760) 440-8520
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