Irrigation Well Drilling Cost in Texas (2026)

Irrigation wells are a different animal from residential water wells. They use larger diameter casings (6 to 12 inches vs 4 inches), produce far more water (50 to 500+ GPM vs 5 to 15 GPM), and require heavy-duty pump systems capable of running for hours at a time. In Texas, where agriculture depends heavily on groundwater, irrigation well costs range from $15,000 to $50,000 or more depending on region, depth, and flow requirements.

This guide covers irrigation-specific costs across Texas, compares them to residential wells, and explains the different permit rules that apply to agricultural water use. For national irrigation well pricing, see our irrigation well drilling cost guide.

Irrigation Well Cost by Texas Region

Region	Typical Depth	Casing Diameter	Flow Rate	Total Installed Cost
East Texas	100-300 ft	6-8”	50-200 GPM	$15,000-$30,000
Gulf Coast	150-400 ft	6-10”	50-300 GPM	$18,000-$35,000
North Texas	200-400 ft	6-8”	50-200 GPM	$20,000-$35,000
Hill Country	200-500 ft	6-8”	30-150 GPM	$25,000-$45,000
Panhandle (Ogallala)	200-500 ft	8-12”	100-500 GPM	$25,000-$50,000+
West Texas	300-700 ft	6-10”	50-300 GPM	$30,000-$50,000+

These costs include drilling, casing, screen, pump, motor, and electrical hookup. They do not include the irrigation distribution system (pivot, drip lines, etc.).

Irrigation Well vs Residential Well: Key Differences

Understanding how irrigation wells differ from household wells explains the cost premium:

Feature	Residential Well	Irrigation Well
Casing diameter	4-5 inches	6-12 inches
Flow rate	5-15 GPM	50-500+ GPM
Pump HP	1/2 to 2 HP	10 to 100+ HP
Daily usage	200-500 gallons	10,000-500,000+ gallons
Drilling cost per foot	$22-$65	$35-$100+
Total installed cost	$5,000-$25,000	$15,000-$50,000+
Pump lifespan	15-20 years	8-15 years
Electrical service	240V single-phase	240/480V three-phase
Operating cost	$20-$50/month	$200-$2,000+/month

The larger borehole diameter is the primary cost driver. Drilling a 10-inch hole requires more time, more powerful equipment, and significantly more casing material than a 4-inch residential well.

Drilling Cost Breakdown

Drilling and Casing

Casing Diameter	Drilling Cost Per Foot	Casing Cost Per Foot (Steel)	Total Per Foot
6”	$35-$60	$25-$40	$60-$100
8”	$45-$75	$35-$55	$80-$130
10”	$55-$90	$45-$70	$100-$160
12”	$65-$110	$55-$85	$120-$195

For a 300-foot irrigation well with 8-inch steel casing, the drilling and casing alone will cost $24,000 to $39,000. Add pump, motor, electrical, and accessories for the total system cost.

For residential per-foot pricing comparison, see our Texas cost per foot guide.

Well Screen

Irrigation wells require longer screen sections to maximize water intake. Stainless steel screens cost $30 to $60 per foot. A typical irrigation well uses 40 to 100 feet of screen, adding $1,200 to $6,000.

Gravel Pack

Many irrigation wells in Texas require a gravel pack — a layer of sized gravel placed between the casing screen and the borehole wall. The gravel acts as a filter, preventing sand from entering the well and damaging the pump. Gravel pack installation costs $1,500 to $5,000 depending on well depth and diameter.

Pump Systems for Irrigation Wells

Irrigation pumps are far more powerful and expensive than residential submersible pumps:

Pump Type	HP Range	Cost (Unit Only)	Best For
Submersible turbine	10-75 HP	$3,000-$15,000	Deep wells, enclosed systems
Line shaft turbine	15-100+ HP	$5,000-$20,000	Open discharge, high volume
Centrifugal (surface)	5-50 HP	$2,000-$8,000	Shallow wells, surface water
Variable frequency drive (VFD)	Add-on	$2,000-$8,000	Energy savings, variable demand

Pump Selection by Irrigation Method

Different irrigation systems have different flow and pressure requirements that affect pump selection:

Center Pivot Irrigation

• Flow: 400 to 800+ GPM
• Pressure: 30 to 60 PSI
• Pump: Line shaft turbine or large submersible, 50 to 100+ HP
• Cost: $8,000 to $20,000 for pump and motor
• Common in the Panhandle and West Texas for cotton, corn, and grain sorghum

Drip Irrigation

• Flow: 50 to 200 GPM
• Pressure: 15 to 30 PSI
• Pump: Smaller submersible or centrifugal, 10 to 30 HP
• Cost: $3,000 to $10,000 for pump and motor
• Growing in popularity across Texas for orchards, vineyards, and vegetable production

Flood Irrigation

• Flow: 500 to 1,000+ GPM
• Pressure: Low (gravity-fed)
• Pump: Large turbine, 50 to 100+ HP
• Cost: $8,000 to $20,000 for pump and motor
• Declining in use but still common for rice on the Gulf Coast

Sprinkler Systems (non-pivot)

• Flow: 100 to 400 GPM
• Pressure: 40 to 80 PSI
• Pump: Submersible or centrifugal, 15 to 50 HP
• Cost: $4,000 to $12,000 for pump and motor
• Used for turf, sports fields, and smaller agricultural operations

Electrical Requirements

Irrigation well pumps require substantially more electrical infrastructure than residential wells:

Three-Phase Power

Most irrigation pumps above 15 HP require three-phase electrical service. If your property does not have three-phase power, you have two options:

• Utility extension: The local electric co-op extends three-phase lines to your property. Cost varies widely: $5,000 to $30,000+ depending on distance. Some co-ops offer agricultural rates or amortized construction costs.
• Phase converter: A rotary or electronic phase converter generates three-phase power from single-phase service. Cost: $2,000 to $8,000. Less efficient than utility three-phase but avoids the line extension cost.
• Variable frequency drive (VFD): Can run a three-phase motor from single-phase input while also providing soft-start and speed control. Cost: $2,000 to $8,000. Increasingly the preferred option.

Electrical Hookup Costs

Component	Cost
Service panel (200-400 amp)	$2,000-$5,000
Underground wiring to well	$2,000-$6,000
Motor starter / control panel	$1,500-$4,000
VFD (optional)	$2,000-$8,000
Lightning / surge protection	$500-$1,500
Total electrical	$6,000-$20,000+

Electrical costs can approach the drilling costs for large irrigation systems. Get electrical quotes before finalizing your well budget.

Permit Requirements for Irrigation Wells

Irrigation wells face stricter permitting than domestic wells in most Texas groundwater conservation districts:

GCD Rules for Irrigation Wells

• Not exempt: Unlike domestic wells, irrigation wells are rarely exempt from GCD production permits
• Metering required: Most GCDs require a flow meter on irrigation wells, reporting monthly or annual usage
• Production caps: Annual pumping limits based on acreage and crop type, typically 18 to 24 inches of water per irrigated acre per year
• Spacing requirements: Minimum distances from property lines and other wells, often 300 to 1,000 feet for irrigation wells
• Permit fees: $200 to $2,000 depending on the GCD and requested production volume

Panhandle / Ogallala GCD Restrictions

The Ogallala Aquifer is declining fastest in the Texas Panhandle. GCDs in this region are increasingly restrictive:

• Some districts have placed moratoriums on new irrigation wells
• Production allowances are being reduced annually
• New wells must demonstrate the aquifer can sustain the proposed pumping rate
• Water marketing (selling your groundwater allocation) is becoming common

Edwards Aquifer Authority

Irrigation wells in the EAA jurisdiction require water-use permits, which are capped. New irrigation permits are extremely difficult to obtain. Existing permits can be purchased or leased from other permit holders at significant cost ($100 to $300+ per acre-foot).

For complete permit details, see our Texas water well permits guide.

Irrigation Well Operating Costs

Beyond the initial drilling and installation, annual operating costs for a Texas irrigation well include:

Cost Category	Annual Cost
Electricity	$2,000-$20,000
Pump maintenance	$500-$2,000
Water testing	$200-$500
GCD fees / reporting	$100-$500
Equipment depreciation	$1,500-$5,000
Total annual	$4,000-$25,000+

Electricity is the largest ongoing cost. A 50 HP pump running 1,000 hours per growing season at $0.10/kWh costs approximately $3,700 in electricity alone. VFDs can reduce energy consumption by 20 to 40 percent, paying for themselves within 2 to 4 years.

Small-Scale Irrigation: A Budget Option

Not every Texas property owner needs a massive irrigation well. For small-scale irrigation — gardens, orchards under 5 acres, livestock watering, and lawn irrigation — a standard residential well with an oversized pump can often serve double duty.

Use Case	Well Size Needed	Flow Rate	Estimated Total Cost
Large lawn (1-2 acres)	4-6” residential	15-30 GPM	$8,000-$18,000
Garden / small orchard (1-5 acres)	6”	20-50 GPM	$12,000-$25,000
Livestock (50-200 head)	6”	15-30 GPM	$10,000-$22,000
Hay field (10-20 acres)	6-8”	50-150 GPM	$18,000-$35,000
Row crops (20-50 acres)	8-10”	150-400 GPM	$25,000-$45,000
Large farm (50+ acres)	10-12”	300-500+ GPM	$35,000-$50,000+

For combined residential and small-scale irrigation use, see our well pump cost guide for Texas for pump sizing recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an irrigation well cost in Texas?

A Texas irrigation well costs $15,000 to $50,000 or more depending on region, depth, and required flow rate. Panhandle wells tapping the Ogallala Aquifer for center pivot irrigation are among the most expensive at $25,000 to $50,000+. Smaller irrigation wells in East Texas for garden or livestock use start around $15,000.

How deep should an irrigation well be in Texas?

Depth depends on the aquifer in your region. East Texas irrigation wells may be 100 to 300 feet deep. Panhandle Ogallala wells run 200 to 500 feet. West Texas wells can exceed 700 feet. Your driller will recommend the appropriate depth based on local aquifer data and your flow requirements.

Do I need a permit for an irrigation well in Texas?

In most cases, yes. Unlike domestic wells, irrigation wells are rarely exempt from groundwater conservation district permitting. You will need a drilling permit, production permit, and a flow meter in most GCD counties. In the few Texas counties without a GCD, only the state well report is required. See our Texas permits guide for details.

What size casing do I need for an irrigation well?

Casing size depends on your required flow rate. For 50 to 150 GPM, a 6-inch casing is sufficient. For 150 to 300 GPM, use 8-inch. For 300 to 500+ GPM (center pivot irrigation), 10 to 12-inch casing is needed. Larger casing costs significantly more per foot to drill and case.

Can I use my residential well for irrigation?

A standard 4-inch residential well producing 5 to 15 GPM is adequate for a garden and small lawn irrigation but insufficient for agricultural use. If you need more than 20 GPM, a dedicated irrigation well or an upsized residential well (6-inch casing with a larger pump) is necessary. Running a residential pump continuously for irrigation will dramatically shorten its lifespan.

How much does it cost to run an irrigation well pump?

Electricity costs for irrigation pumps range from $2,000 to $20,000 per growing season depending on pump size, hours of operation, and electricity rates. A 50 HP pump running 8 hours per day for 120 days at $0.10/kWh costs approximately $3,600. A variable frequency drive (VFD) can reduce costs by 20 to 40 percent.

Is the Ogallala Aquifer still viable for irrigation in Texas?

The Ogallala remains a major irrigation water source but is declining in many areas. In parts of the Texas Panhandle, the saturated thickness has dropped by 50 percent or more since the 1950s. New irrigation wells face increasing regulatory restrictions. Some farmers are transitioning to drip irrigation or drought-tolerant crops to reduce water use and extend the aquifer’s viability.

Additional Resources

• Irrigation Well Drilling Cost (National) — Compare Texas to national pricing
• Texas Well Drilling Cost Guide — Residential well pricing statewide
• Cost Per Foot in Texas — Detailed per-foot pricing
• Texas Water Well Permits — GCD and irrigation permit rules
• Texas Contractor Directory — Find licensed irrigation well drillers
• Get Free Quotes — Compare pricing from local drillers