Private Well Affordability

When looking to install a well on your property, there are a few different costs associated with it. Once the well is in, it should be tested periodically and maintained when needed.

WELL INSTALLATION

First, you must know how deep you need to drill and the types of soil you may be penetrating. Wells range from around 100 ft. to over 400 ft. The smaller wells can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 while the larger ones can get up to $12,000. These costs include the casing that prevents the well from collapsing and the well-cap which provides a tight-fitting seal to keep unwanted things from getting in.

After the well is drilled and capped, a pump must be installed to draw the water from the ground into your home. Pump setups range from $2,000 - $8,000 which includes the piping, wiring, and control panel. After these costs the only thing left is filtration and the cost of the electricity to run the pump.

WELL MAINTENANCE

Maintaining a private well requires periodic testing, which allows property owners to monitor water quality. The cost of testing ranges with property use -- commercial or residential -- and the property location.

WELL TREATMENT

Well treatment systems remove specific contaminants and improve the overall taste of drinking water. The need for a system is dictated by the quality of water in your well. Generally, private wells can be treated by four separate processes: filtration systems, water softeners, distillation systems, and disinfection.

1. Filtration systems utilize mechanical, chemical, and biological technologies to remove contaminants from the extracted water source. These systems range in cost, from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. To learn more about in-home filtration systems, click here.
2. Water softeners are devices that help reduce the “hardness” of the water by removing naturally occurring substances such as calcium and magnesium. Typically, water softeners use salt or potassium to replace these “hardness”-causing substances. The cost of a water softener can range from $200 to $2,000. Additionally, installation costs for a manual regeneration system can cost between $100 to $400. The cost to install a metered or timed system will generally run between $400 and $10,000, with the average price being $3,000.
3. Distillation systems utilize boiler and condenser technologies to collect water steam from boiling water. Depending on the weight of the contaminant, this process generally removes most solid pollutants. Point-of-entry distillation units, which are attached where the water enters the building, can cost from $500 to over $10,000 depending on the size and speed of the process.
4. Disinfection utilizes chemical and physical technologies to terminate toxic microorganisms that live within the well water.

ASSISTANCE

Some nonprofits and communities have assistance programs for property owners that cannot afford costs related to private water well replacement.

SEPTIC SYSTEMS

As with public systems, sewage disposal is an integral part of the water system for a home. Septic systems (including the drain field) need to be maintained and will eventually need to be replaced. Some nonprofits and communities have assistance programs for property owners that cannot afford costs related to private water well replacement.

Learn how to care for your septic system properly.