Water Well Drilling Contractors in New Hampshire

Geology & Depth

New Hampshire's bedrock is primarily Paleozoic and Mesozoic granite, gneiss, and schist that yield water only through fractures, making well yields variable and sometimes unpredictable. Glacial sand and gravel in river valleys provide better yields where available, but most residential wells are drilled into bedrock.

Most residential wells in New Hampshire are drilled to 300 feet, with a typical range of 100–700 feet. Water table depth: 50-150 feet in valley sand and gravel; 100-600+ feet in bedrock, depending on fracture zones.

Permits & Licensing

New Hampshire requires all water well contractors to be licensed by NHDES. The licensing program includes testing and continuing education. No homeowner drilling is permitted.

Permit authority: New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES), Water Division. Expect $75-$300 in permit fees.

Primary Aquifer

Fractured Crystalline Bedrock Aquifers / Stratified Drift Aquifers. About 46% of New Hampshire households use private wells — the second-highest rate in the nation, after Vermont.

Best drilling months: April through November; granite bedrock makes winter drilling possible but access roads may be impassable.

Common Water Quality Concerns

New Hampshire well water commonly contains: arsenic, radon, uranium, manganese, MTBE, PFAS. A comprehensive water test after drilling (typically $150–$500) will identify which treatments, if any, your well needs.