Contractor Directory · Delaware

Water Well Drilling Contractors in Delaware

11+ licensed DE well drilling companies. Average project cost: $4,560 · $25–$55/ft · 120-ft avg depth.

Well Drilling in Delaware: What to Know

Before hiring a well driller in Delaware, here's the local cost data, geology, and permit rules that affect your project. Jump to licensed contractors below or see our full Delaware cost guide.

Avg. Project Cost

$4,560

Per Foot

$25–$55

Avg. Depth

120 ft

Permit Cost

$75-$250

Geology & Depth

Delaware lies almost entirely within the Atlantic Coastal Plain, with unconsolidated sand, silt, and clay formations that make drilling relatively straightforward. Northern New Castle County has Piedmont crystalline bedrock that requires harder-rock drilling techniques.

Most residential wells in Delaware are drilled to 120 feet, with a typical range of 30–300 feet. Water table depth: 15-80 feet in the Coastal Plain; deeper confined aquifers at 100-300 feet.

Permits & Licensing

Well drillers must be licensed by DNREC. Delaware does not offer a homeowner drilling exemption.

Permit authority: Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Division of Water. Expect $75-$250 in permit fees.

Primary Aquifer

Columbia Aquifer / Cheswold Aquifer / Piney Point Aquifer. About 30% of Delaware households rely on private wells, especially in Kent and Sussex counties south of the C&D Canal.

Best drilling months: Year-round drilling is possible; spring and fall are preferred to avoid summer saturation and winter frost.

Common Water Quality Concerns

Delaware well water commonly contains: nitrate, iron, manganese, saltwater intrusion in coastal areas, volatile organic compounds near developed areas. A comprehensive water test after drilling (typically $150–$500) will identify which treatments, if any, your well needs.