Water Well Drilling Contractors in Nebraska

Geology & Depth

Nebraska sits atop the Ogallala Formation, part of the High Plains Aquifer system, with thick deposits of Miocene-age sand and gravel that hold enormous quantities of groundwater. The Sand Hills region in north-central Nebraska has some of the highest recharge rates and shallowest water tables in the entire High Plains system.

Most residential wells in Nebraska are drilled to 163 feet, with a typical range of 40–400 feet. Water table depth: 10-50 feet in the Sand Hills; 50-200 feet in the central and western Platte Valley; 100-400 feet in the Panhandle.

Permits & Licensing

Nebraska requires water well contractors to be licensed by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Licensed drillers must pass examinations and maintain continuing education.

Permit authority: Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) — Nebraska's 23 locally governed NRDs manage groundwater; the Department of Natural Resources coordinates statewide. Expect $25-$100 in permit fees.

Primary Aquifer

High Plains (Ogallala) Aquifer / Platte River Valley Alluvial Aquifers. About 23% of Nebraska households use private wells, with much higher rates in the rural Sand Hills and western Nebraska.

Best drilling months: March through November; the Sand Hills can be drilled year-round in milder winters.

Common Water Quality Concerns

Nebraska well water commonly contains: nitrate, uranium, arsenic, iron, manganese, atrazine and other agricultural chemicals. A comprehensive water test after drilling (typically $150–$500) will identify which treatments, if any, your well needs.