Contractor Directory · California
Water Well Drilling Contractors in California
100+ licensed CA well drilling companies. Average project cost: $17,500 · $35–$75/ft · 350-ft avg depth.
Well Drilling in California: What to Know
Before hiring a well driller in California, here's the local cost data, geology, and permit rules that affect your project. Jump to licensed contractors below or see our full California cost guide.
Avg. Project Cost
$17,500
Per Foot
$35–$75
Avg. Depth
350 ft
Permit Cost
$300-$2,000 (varies dramatically by county)
Geology & Depth
California's Central Valley sits atop one of the world's most productive aquifer systems with thick sequences of alluvial fan deposits, while coastal areas have smaller, fractured bedrock aquifers. Sierra Nevada foothills require drilling through granite and metamorphic rock.
Most residential wells in California are drilled to 350 feet, with a typical range of 100–800 feet. Water table depth: 50-300 feet in the Central Valley (declining in some basins due to overdraft); 100-600 feet in Southern California.
Permits & Licensing
California requires a C-57 Water Well Drilling Contractor license from the Contractors State License Board. Homeowner drilling is effectively prohibited due to licensing and environmental requirements.
Permit authority: County Environmental Health Departments issue permits; the State Water Resources Control Board oversees Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) compliance. Expect $300-$2,000 (varies dramatically by county) in permit fees.
Primary Aquifer
Central Valley Aquifer System / Coastal Basin Aquifers. About 10% of California households use private wells, but the Central Valley has some of the highest concentrations of domestic well users in the nation.
Best drilling months: Year-round in most areas; some mountain regions limited by snow access from November through March.
Common Water Quality Concerns
California well water commonly contains: arsenic, nitrate, hexavalent chromium, 1,2,3-TCP, total dissolved solids, uranium. A comprehensive water test after drilling (typically $150–$500) will identify which treatments, if any, your well needs.
100 contractors found
Salinas, California
Carmel Valley, California
Sanger, California
Sanger, California
Salinas, California
Oakhurst, California
San Martin, California
Kerman, California
Elverta, California
Hidden Valley Lake, California
Newberry Springs, California
Del Rey, California
Sacramento, California
Mariposa, California
Winchester, California
Merced, California
Hollister, California
Stockton, California
Watsonville, California
Fresno, California
Salinas, California
Pleasanton, California
Oakland, California
Well Drilling Costs in California
Average project cost: $17,500
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