Question 1

How much does a water well cost in Utah?

Accepted Answer

A typical drilled-and-cased domestic water well in Utah costs about $135 per foot of depth in 2026, with prices ranging from $120 to $155 per foot depending on driller, location, and casing material. Wells under 100 feet often run an extra $15 per foot because mobilization is amortized over fewer feet. A stainless wire-wrap screen, when needed, adds about $2,200. For a typical 200-foot well, expect roughly $27,000–$31,000.

Question 2

How deep are water wells in Utah?

Accepted Answer

Water well depth varies dramatically by Utah county and aquifer. Typical domestic wells range from about 60 feet in shallow valley aquifers (parts of Box Elder, Cache) to 300+ feet in alpine areas like Summit and Wasatch counties, and 500+ feet in deep Wasatch Front municipal supply zones. The Utah Water Wells calculator pulls from real driller-submitted logs to give a depth estimate specific to your address.

Question 3

Do I need a permit to drill a water well in Utah?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Utah requires a water right (or a properly filed change application) before a well is drilled, and the well must be installed by a licensed Utah Well Driller per Utah Administrative Rule R655-4. Domestic-use exemptions exist for small parcels, but the well construction itself must still meet state standards. Your driller will typically handle the Start Card filing with the Division of Water Rights on your behalf.

Question 4

What's the difference between a steel-cased and PVC-lined well?

Accepted Answer

A fully steel-cased well drives steel casing along the full depth of the well — common with cable tool drilling and casing-advancement rotary methods used in much of Utah. A PVC-lined well drills an oversized open hole, then sets PVC casing inside with a gravel/sand pack and grout filling the annular space. Utah regulation (R655-4-11) requires a steel protective sleeve at the surface even when PVC is used below. Per-foot cost is similar; the choice typically comes from formation stability and the driller's preferred method.

Question 5

How long does it take to drill a water well in Utah?

Accepted Answer

A typical domestic water well in Utah takes 3 to 7 working days from rig set-up to well completion, depending on depth, formation hardness, and the drilling method. Add a few weeks of lead time for permitting (water right filing, Start Card) and scheduling — domestic well drillers in Utah are often booked 4 to 12 weeks out, especially in spring and summer.

Question 6

What is a Static Water Level (SWL)?

Accepted Answer

Static Water Level is the depth of the water surface in the well when the pump is not running. A negative SWL means the water rises above ground (an artesian well, common in some Utah valleys like parts of Weber and Box Elder). The SWL determines how much drop pipe and what pump size you'll need, and it's a key input to designing the screen and pump.

Question 7

What's a good water well yield (GPM) for a domestic Utah well?

Accepted Answer

Utah's accepted minimum for a new domestic well is roughly 5 GPM sustained, which meets the FHA mortgage standard and the Water Well Board recommendation. Below 5 GPM, a cistern or storage tank is recommended to bridge peak demand. 10–20 GPM is comfortable for a single-family home with light landscape irrigation; 20+ GPM is plenty for heavier use including livestock or larger irrigation.

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