Utah Well Drilling Cost 2026: $10,500 Avg + $28-$65/ft

Bottom line: Water well drilling in Utah costs $28–$65 per foot in 2026, with the average residential project running $10,500 complete. Utah’s typical well depth is 250 feet (range: 60–700 ft), and the primary aquifer is the Basin Fill Aquifers (Salt Lake Valley, Cache Valley) / Navajo Sandstone Aquifer / Wasatch Formation.

This guide covers 2026 Utah well drilling pricing — by depth, region, and project scope — plus the geology, permit rules, licensing requirements, and seasonal considerations that affect every Utah well project.

Utah Well Drilling Cost at a Glance

Cost Factor	Utah 2026
Average total project cost	$10,500
Cost per foot (drilling only)	$28–$65
Average residential well depth	250 feet
Typical depth range	60–700 ft
Primary aquifer	Basin Fill Aquifers (Salt Lake Valley, Cache Valley) / Navajo Sandstone Aquifer / Wasatch Formation
Water table depth	50-200 feet along the Wasatch Front; 100-500 feet in eastern Utah; artesian conditions in some mountain valleys
Permit cost range	$100-$400
Best drilling months	April through November in most areas

Cost by Well Depth in Utah

These ranges use Utah’s typical per-foot cost ($28–$65, average $42) plus standard pump/casing/electrical hookup ($2,500–$5,000). Final cost depends on geology, water yield, and pump sizing.

Well Depth	Utah Drilling Cost	Complete System
100 ft (shallow)	$2,800–$6,500	$5,300–$11,500
250 ft (typical)	$7,000–$16,250	$9,500–$21,250
300 ft (moderate)	$8,400–$19,500	$10,900–$24,500
500 ft (deep)	$14,000–$32,500	$16,500–$37,500

For a complete national breakdown, see our well drilling cost per foot guide or the main well drilling cost guide.

Utah Geology and Drilling Conditions

Utah’s Wasatch Front sits on thick alluvial fan deposits shed from the Wasatch Range, providing productive aquifers in the urban corridor. The Colorado Plateau has deep sandstone aquifers, while the Great Basin features basin-fill alluvium in isolated valleys between mountain ranges.

The Basin Fill Aquifers (Salt Lake Valley, Cache Valley) / Navajo Sandstone Aquifer / Wasatch Formation is Utah’s primary source of residential well water. Water table depth ranges from 50-200 feet along the Wasatch Front; 100-500 feet in eastern Utah; artesian conditions in some mountain valleys, which directly affects how deep your well must be drilled. Wells targeting deeper aquifers cost proportionally more — both for the additional drilling time and for heavier-duty pumps required to lift water from greater depths.

Common Water Quality Issues in Utah

Utah well water frequently contains: total dissolved solids, hardness, arsenic, uranium, selenium, and sulfate.

These contaminants don’t always make water unsafe — many are aesthetic (iron staining, hardness) rather than health concerns — but they affect treatment system requirements:

• Iron and manganese are the most common nuisance contaminants. Treatment: oxidation filter or water softener with iron-removing resin ($800–$2,500 installed).
• Hardness (calcium, magnesium) requires a water softener ($800–$2,500 for whole-house systems). See our water softeners guide.
• Hydrogen sulfide (“rotten egg” smell) is treated with aeration or chlorination ($500–$2,000).
• Bacteria (coliform, E. coli) require shock chlorination plus UV disinfection or chlorination injection ($500–$1,500).
• Arsenic, uranium, radon are health-critical contaminants requiring specific treatment systems and ongoing testing.

Always test new wells for the full panel before connecting to your home’s plumbing. See our well water test kits guide for testing options.

What’s Included in a Utah Well Drilling Quote

A typical Utah well drilling quote covers:

• Drilling and casing — the well bore (steel or PVC casing)
• Well screen — filters out sand and sediment at the water-bearing zone
• Grout seal — cement seal around the casing to prevent surface contamination
• Development — flushing to maximize water yield
• Well cap — sanitary seal at the top

Not typically included (budget separately):

Additional Cost	Price Range
Submersible pump + installation	$1,000–$3,500
Pressure tank	$300–$1,500
Electrical hookup	$500–$1,500
Water line to house	$500–$3,000
Water testing (full panel)	$200–$500
Treatment system (if needed)	$500–$5,000

A complete Utah well system with pump, pressure tank, and connections typically runs $13,000–$48,000 for average depths.

Permits and Licensing in Utah

Permitting: Well drilling permits in Utah are administered by Utah Division of Water Rights (State Engineer’s Office); all wells require a drilling permit (start card) before construction. Permit costs run $100-$400 depending on county and well type.

Licensing: Utah requires all water well drillers to be licensed by the Division of Water Rights. The licensing program includes testing on drilling methods and state water law. No homeowner drilling exemption.

Water rights: Utah follows the Prior Appropriation; domestic wells may be drilled under a stock watering or domestic exemption, but the State Engineer can deny applications in over-appropriated basins doctrine for groundwater. Understand the rules before drilling — exempt wells (typically domestic under a stated GPM threshold) often have simpler permitting, while higher-yield or commercial wells require full appropriation procedures.

Best Time to Drill in Utah

April through November in most areas; year-round in the St. George area of southern Utah

Driller schedules typically fill 4–8 weeks in advance, especially in peak season. Book early if your timing is flexible. Off-season drilling (where climate allows) sometimes captures 5–15% labor savings.

How Many Utah Households Use Well Water

About 10% of Utah households use private wells, concentrated in rural areas of Cache Valley, Wasatch Back, and Iron County

This concentration directly affects driller availability — counties with high private-well density (typically rural areas, certain river basins, mountain regions) have more drillers competing for work and more competitive pricing. Metro areas with mostly municipal water often see fewer drillers and higher per-foot rates.

Top Cities for Well Drilling in Utah

The largest residential well drilling markets in Utah include Salt Lake City, Provo, St. George, Ogden, and Logan. Pricing varies more by sub-region (driven by geology and well-density) than by metro area in Utah. For driller listings by city, browse our Utah well driller directory.

How to Save Money on a Utah Well

1. Get at least 3 quotes. Per-foot rates vary 20–40% between drillers for the same well. Request 3 free quotes from licensed Utah drillers.
2. Check with neighbors first. Nearby wells give you a realistic depth estimate — the biggest cost driver. Drillers in Utah typically have permit records you can search to find depth data near your property.
3. Ask about depth guarantees. Some Utah drillers cap their quote at an agreed depth — if they hit water shallower, you save; if they drill deeper, they absorb the cost.
4. Bundle the work. Hiring one company for drilling + pump + electrical hookup typically saves $500–$1,500 vs separate contractors.
5. Don’t skimp on the pump. A properly sized submersible pump costs more upfront but lasts 12–20 years vs 5–8 years for budget pumps in Utah’s typical depth range. See our submersible pumps guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a well cost in Utah?

The average Utah residential well costs $10,500 complete with pump and connection. Drilling alone runs $28–$65 per foot. A typical 250-foot well costs $7,000–$16,250 for drilling, plus $2,500–$5,000 for pump and hookup.

How deep are wells in Utah?

The average residential well depth in Utah is 250 feet, with most wells ranging from 60–700 feet depending on geology and target aquifer. Wells in the Basin Fill Aquifers (Salt Lake Valley, Cache Valley) typically hit water sooner; deeper aquifers require correspondingly longer drilling.

Do I need a permit to drill a well in Utah?

Yes — Utah Division of Water Rights (State Engineer’s Office); all wells require a drilling permit (start card) before construction regulates well drilling in Utah, with permits costing $100-$400. Some exempt wells (typically domestic use under a stated GPM threshold) have simpler procedures, but most residential wells require full permits before drilling can begin.

Can I drill my own well in Utah?

Utah requires all water well drillers to be licensed by the Division of Water Rights.

How long does it take to drill a well in Utah?

Most residential wells in Utah are completed in 1–3 days of actual drilling. Including pump installation, electrical, and plumbing, plan on 1–2 weeks for the full project. Permit approval typically adds 2–6 weeks before drilling can start.

Is Utah well water safe to drink?

Utah well water is generally safe when properly tested and treated for the local quality issues (total dissolved solids, hardness, arsenic, uranium, selenium, and sulfate). Private well owners are responsible for testing — there’s no government oversight like there is for municipal water. Test annually for bacteria and nitrates; do a full chemical panel every 3–5 years and immediately after any nearby construction or land use change.

How long do wells last in Utah?

Properly drilled and maintained wells in Utah typically last 30–50 years for the well bore itself. The pump is the most common component to fail — premium submersibles last 12–20 years; budget pumps 5–10. Pressure tanks last 8–15 years. Routine pump and pressure tank replacements add up to a fraction of the original drilling cost over the well’s life.

Get a Utah Well Drilling Quote

The fastest way to know your actual cost is to get quotes from licensed Utah drillers familiar with your specific area’s geology. Request 3 free estimates.

For more on related topics, see our main well drilling cost guide, well pump costs, or browse Utah well drillers.