Well Water vs City Water in California

Your neighbor just told you their water bill hit $300 last month. Meanwhile, your friend with a well hasn't paid for water in years. If you're a California property owner, this scenario probably hits close to home—and it's exactly why the well water vs city water debate matters more now than ever.

With rising water rates, frequent drought restrictions, and concerns about water quality, more San Diego County residents are considering wells. Let's compare well water vs city water across every factor that matters: cost, quality, reliability, and independence.

Cost Comparison: Well Water vs City Water

City Water Costs in San Diego

San Diego has some of the highest water rates in the nation, and they continue to climb. Here's what city water actually costs:

• Average monthly bill: $80-$200 depending on usage
• Cost per gallon: Approximately $0.008-$0.015 (tiered pricing)
• Annual increases: 3-8% yearly rate hikes are common
• Heavy users: Agricultural and large properties pay $300-$500+/month

San Diego's tiered pricing structure penalizes higher usage. The more water you use, the more you pay per gallon. For properties with horses, gardens, pools, or large lawns, municipal water costs can be staggering.

Well Water Costs

A private well requires upfront investment but delivers long-term savings:

Initial Investment

• Well drilling: $18,000-$45,000 (depending on depth and geology)
• Pump and equipment: Usually included in turnkey price
• Permits: $200-$500

See our detailed well drilling cost guide for accurate estimates by location.

Ongoing Costs

• Electricity: $30-$60/month to run the pump
• Annual maintenance: $100-$300 average
• Water testing: $50-$200/year
• Occasional repairs: Budget $200-$500/year average

Break-Even Analysis

For most San Diego County properties, a well pays for itself in 10-15 years through water bill savings. Properties with higher water usage—agricultural land, horse properties, large estates—break even faster, often in 5-8 years. And once you've recovered your investment, your water is essentially free except for minimal operating costs.

The math gets even better when you factor in rising city water rates. If rates continue increasing 5-7% annually (as they have historically), break-even points move even sooner.

Water Quality Comparison

City Water Quality

Municipal water is treated and tested to meet EPA standards. However, "safe" doesn't always mean optimal:

• Chlorine/Chloramine: Added for disinfection, affects taste and smell
• Fluoride: Added in most systems—not everyone wants this
• PFAS concerns: "Forever chemicals" are an emerging issue
• Pipe contamination: Water travels through miles of aging infrastructure
• Hard water: San Diego municipal water is moderately hard

Many city water customers still use filtration systems to improve taste and remove additives they'd rather avoid.

Well Water Quality

Well water quality varies by location, but San Diego County generally has good groundwater:

• No chlorine: Natural taste, no chemical smell
• No fluoride: Unless naturally occurring in your aquifer
• Natural minerals: Can include beneficial calcium and magnesium
• Fresh and local: Straight from the ground to your tap
• Potential concerns: Hardness, iron, manganese, or bacteria possible in some areas

The key difference: you're responsible for testing and treating your well water. This is actually an advantage—you know exactly what's in your water and can address specific issues rather than accepting whatever the municipal system delivers.

Taste Comparison

Ask most well owners about taste and they'll tell you—well water usually tastes better than city water. Without chlorine and other treatment chemicals, many people find well water fresher and more pleasant. Some describe it as what water "should" taste like.

That said, some wells do produce water with noticeable mineral taste (iron, sulfur) that requires treatment. This varies by location and aquifer.

Water Independence: The Hidden Value

Beyond cost and quality, water independence provides benefits that are hard to quantify but increasingly valuable in California:

No Water Restrictions

California drought restrictions can severely limit how city water customers use water. Restrictions often include:

• Limited outdoor watering days and times
• Prohibitions on washing cars, filling pools
• Mandatory usage reductions with penalties
• Fines for "excessive" use

Private well owners are generally exempt from these restrictions. You own your water supply and can use it as needed to maintain your property, water your garden, or fill your pool—even during drought emergencies when your neighbors on city water cannot.

Supply Security

Municipal water systems are vulnerable to:

• Main breaks and system failures
• Contamination events requiring boil notices
• Power outages affecting treatment plants
• Regional emergencies and infrastructure damage

A private well with backup power gives you water security regardless of what happens to the municipal system. During the wildfires and power shutoffs that have become common in California, well owners with generators maintained water access while neighbors lost service.

No Rate Hikes

Once your well is drilled, you're insulated from water rate increases. While city water customers face 3-8% annual increases, your "water bill" remains stable—just electricity and minimal maintenance. Over 20-30 years of homeownership, this protection from inflation is significant.

Property Value

A producing well adds substantial value to rural and semi-rural properties in San Diego County. Buyers actively seek properties with wells, especially for agricultural use. A good well can add $10,000-$50,000 to property value depending on production rate and location.

Pros and Cons Summary

Who Should Consider a Well?

A private well makes the most sense for:

• Rural and semi-rural properties: Where wells are common and cost-effective
• Agricultural properties: Where water needs are high and tiered pricing is brutal
• Horse properties: Significant water needs year-round
• Large estates: Landscaping and pool maintenance add up
• Properties without city water access: Your only option
• Anyone wanting water independence: Control your own supply
• Long-term homeowners: Time to recover investment and benefit from savings

What About Having Both?

Some San Diego County homeowners maintain both a well and city water connection:

• Use well water for irrigation: Save expensive city water for indoor use
• Backup supply: City water backs up the well, or vice versa
• Gradual transition: Test well water quality before switching fully

This hybrid approach can work well, though you'll still pay city water base fees even if you're not using much. Check local regulations—some areas require backflow preventers if both systems are connected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Making Your Decision

The well water vs city water decision ultimately comes down to your priorities, property, and timeline. If you're looking for long-term savings, water independence, and control over your water quality, a private well is worth serious consideration.

Start by understanding what drilling might cost for your specific property. Our free site assessments include:

• Estimated drilling depth for your location
• Geological assessment
• Neighbor well data review
• Detailed cost estimate
• Break-even analysis vs. your current water costs