Residential Well Drilling: Complete Guide for Homeowners

Thinking about drilling a well for your home? A private residential water well provides independence from municipal water systems, eliminates monthly water bills, and gives you control over your water supply. In Southern California, residential well drilling is a significant investment—but one that pays dividends for decades. Here's everything you need to know about home well drilling, from costs and permits to connecting your new well to your home's plumbing.

What Is Residential Well Drilling?

Residential well drilling is the process of drilling a private water well to supply a single-family home. Unlike agricultural or commercial wells that may require high volumes for irrigation or industrial use, residential wells are designed to meet household water needs—typically 3-5 gallons per minute for a family of four.

Home wells provide water for:

• Drinking and cooking
• Bathing and showers
• Laundry and dishwashing
• Toilets and fixtures
• Landscape irrigation
• Pools and spas

Residential Water Well Cost

The residential water well cost in Southern California varies based on depth, geology, and equipment requirements. Here's what homeowners can expect to pay in 2025:

What's Included in Residential Well Cost?

A complete home well drilling project includes:

For detailed pricing by location, see our San Diego well drilling cost guide.

Typical Residential Well Depths in SoCal

Home well drilling depths in Southern California typically range from 200 to 500 feet, depending on your location and local geology:

What Determines Well Depth?

Several factors affect how deep your residential well needs to be:

• Local geology: Granite requires drilling deeper than sandstone or alluvial deposits
• Elevation: Higher elevations typically require deeper wells
• Regional water table: Drought conditions have lowered water tables throughout SoCal
• Neighboring well data: Nearby wells provide the best indication of expected depth
• Seasonal fluctuations: Wells must be deep enough for year-round production

Your well contractor will research neighboring well records and local geology to estimate depth before drilling begins.

The Residential Well Drilling Process

Here's what to expect when drilling a well for home use, from initial planning to your first glass of water:

Step 1: Site Assessment & Consultation

Your well contractor visits your property to:

• Identify potential drilling locations
• Check setback requirements from septic systems and property lines
• Assess access for drilling equipment
• Research neighboring well records for depth estimates
• Provide detailed cost estimate

Step 2: Permits & Approvals (1-2 Weeks)

Before drilling can begin, you'll need:

• Well construction permit from County Environmental Health
• Site plan showing well location relative to buildings and septic
• Property ownership verification
• Permit fees ($500-$1,500 depending on county)

Your contractor typically handles the entire permit application process.

Step 3: Drilling (1-3 Days)

The actual drilling phase for a residential well typically takes 1-3 days:

• Drilling rig arrives and sets up
• Drilling proceeds at 50-150 feet per day depending on rock hardness
• Driller monitors for water-bearing zones
• Drilling continues until adequate water flow is achieved
• Steel or PVC casing is installed
• Sanitary seal (grouting) protects groundwater

Step 4: Inspections

County inspectors verify proper well construction:

• Casing inspection: Before grouting, inspector verifies casing depth and integrity
• Final inspection: After pump installation, confirms proper operation and collects water sample

Step 5: Pump Installation (1-2 Days)

With drilling complete, your pump system is installed:

• Submersible pump lowered into well
• Drop pipe and electrical wiring connected
• Well cap and pitless adapter installed
• Pressure tank set up in garage or utility area
• Pressure switch and control box installed

Step 6: Plumbing Connection

The final step connects your new well to your home:

• Supply line from well to pressure tank
• Connection to home's main water supply
• Water treatment equipment installation (if needed)
• System testing and pressure adjustment
• Homeowner orientation

Permits and Inspections for Home Wells

California law requires permits for all new water wells. Here's what's involved for residential projects:

San Diego County Requirements

• Permit authority: Department of Environmental Health (DEH)
• Permit fee: Approximately $800-$1,200
• Minimum setbacks: 100 feet from septic systems, 50 feet from sewer lines, 5 feet from property lines
• Required inspections: Casing inspection, final inspection
• Processing time: 5-10 business days for routine applications

Riverside County Requirements

• Permit authority: Department of Environmental Health
• Permit fee: Approximately $600-$1,000
• Similar setback requirements to San Diego County
• Water quality testing may be required

Your well drilling contractor handles all permit applications and coordinates inspections, ensuring compliance with all regulations.

Best Location for Your Residential Well

Choosing the right drilling location affects both cost and long-term performance. Consider these factors:

Regulatory Requirements

• 100+ feet from septic tank and leach field
• 50+ feet from sewer lines
• 5+ feet from property lines
• Away from potential contamination sources

Practical Considerations

• Drilling rig access: Need room for large equipment
• Proximity to home: Shorter plumbing runs reduce cost
• Future service access: Well needs to remain accessible
• Uphill from contamination: Position above septic and other sources
• Away from flood zones: Prevent surface water infiltration

Geological Factors

• Low points on property often have better water potential
• Near mature vegetation may indicate shallow water
• Fractured rock zones can produce better in granite areas

Connecting Your Well to Home Plumbing

Integrating a new well with your home's plumbing system involves several components:

Water Treatment Considerations

Depending on water quality test results, you may need:

• Sediment filter: Removes sand and particles
• Water softener: Addresses hard water common in SoCal
• Iron filter: Removes iron and manganese
• UV disinfection: Kills bacteria if present
• Reverse osmosis: Point-of-use treatment for drinking water

Learn more in our water treatment guide.

Residential Well Drilling Timeline

Here's the typical timeline for a complete residential well project:

Benefits of a Residential Water Well

Investing in a home water well offers numerous advantages:

Financial Benefits

• No monthly water bills: Average SoCal family saves $1,200-$2,400/year
• Property value increase: Wells add $10,000-$20,000 to rural property values
• ROI timeline: Most wells pay for themselves in 8-15 years
• Unlimited water: No tiered pricing or overage charges

Independence & Control

• No reliance on municipal water systems
• Water available during utility outages (with backup power)
• Control over water treatment and quality
• No water use restrictions during droughts

Quality Advantages

• Fresh, naturally filtered groundwater
• No chlorine or municipal treatment chemicals
• Often superior taste compared to city water
• Consistent mineral content

Frequently Asked Questions