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Homeowner Guide

Alaska Private Well Guide

Everything you need to know about drilling a private well in Alaska. Costs, permits, water testing, and finding a licensed driller.

Updated: December 2025 Source: 18 AAC 72.100

Cost
$12,000–$50,000+
Timeline
4–12 weeks
Permits
Local permits (Anchorage, North Pole)
Drillers
Find in AK
Official Sources:ADEC Drinking WaterDNR Water RightsDNR WELTS (Well Logs)Certified Labs
ContractorsHomeowners
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Well Drilling Costs in Alaska

A complete private well system in Alaska typically costs $12,000–$50,000 or more, depending on depth, location, remote access, and harsh conditions. [Source: Hefty Drilling, 2024]

2024-2025 Alaska well drilling cost estimates
ComponentTypical CostNotes
Drilling (per foot)$30–$50/ftLabor costs. Average ~$40/ft
Well Casing & Cement$1,000–$5,000Steel casing or grouting for deeper wells
Pump & Pressure Tank$1,500–$4,000+Submersible pump system, installed
Storage Tank (if required)$1,500–$3,000Anchorage requires 1,000 gal for low-yield wells
Water Treatment$1,000–$5,000Iron filter, softener, or arsenic filter if needed
Water Testing$50–$250$50-$100 standard panel; arsenic/radon extra
DNR Water Right$100Application fee for single-family home (if >500 gpd)
Local Permits$0–$500+Anchorage $500; North Pole varies; most areas: none
Total Project$12,000–$50,000+Wide range due to depth, remote sites, harsh conditions
Cost Tip
Alaska drilling costs are higher than the Lower 48 due to remote locations, deep wells, and harsh winter conditions. Typical drilling labor is $30–$50 per foot. Get quotes from 2-3 experienced Alaska drillers. Check the Alaska Water Well Association for member contractors.

Timeline: From Decision to Drinking Water

Expect 4–12 weeks from your first call to potable water. Season and permitting affect timeline significantly.

Typical Alaska well drilling timeline
StepDurationNotes
Planning & Permitting1–4 weeksResearch aquifer, hire driller, apply for water rights/local permits
Drilling1–5 daysActual drilling. Longer in winter or remote areas
Pump & Hookup1–2 daysInstall pump, controls, pressure tank
Testing & Disinfection1–2 weeksChlorinate, flush, sample, wait for lab results
Final Approvals1 weekFile well log with DNR, local inspections (if required)
Seasonal Considerations
Frozen ground can slow drilling. The well casing must extend approximately 2 ft above grade to clear snow cover. Spring flooding (May-June) requires "high and dry" wellhead siting.

Permits & Process

Do You Need a Permit?

Alaska does not require a state drilling permit for private wells. [Source: ADEC] However, two municipalities have local requirements:

Anchorage & North Pole

Local well permits required. [ADEC notes only these two cities have well regulations]

All Other Alaska Areas

No state or local drilling permit required.

Water Rights

If you pump more than 500 gallons per day (or >1,500 gpd for residential use), you must apply for a water right from DNR.

Who Does What?

Driller Handles:
Homeowner Handles:
  • Payment
  • Water rights application (if needed)
  • Lab testing coordination
  • Record keeping
  • Annual maintenance & testing

Water Quality

Important
Alaska does not mandate water testing for private wells—the owner is responsible for water quality. However, testing is strongly recommended.

Recommended Testing

Common Alaska Water Quality Issues

Iron & Manganese

Very common in Alaska wells. ADEC notes "naturally occurring iron, manganese, and arsenic are the most common treatment problems".

Arsenic

High arsenic found in Interior, Southcentral (Anchorage-Kenai), North Slope, and Southeast Alaska. Treat with specialty filters or RO.

Nitrate

From septic leachate or fertilizers. Common in Matanuska Valley and Kenai Peninsula residential areas. High nitrate (>10 mg/L) requires RO or deeper wells.

Bacteria

Coliform/E. coli can enter poorly sealed wells near septic systems. Requires shock chlorination and frequent testing.

Radon

Interior aquifers (Fairbanks area) may have radon. Aeration systems or activated carbon filters can reduce radon in water.

Hard Water

Many Alaska wells are hard (high calcium/magnesium) or have low pH. Water softeners or acid-neutralizing filters improve taste and reduce scale.

Arsenic Alert Zones
If your property is in the Interior (Fairbanks basin), Southcentral (Anchorage-Kenai corridor), or Seward Peninsula, test for arsenic before using well water for drinking. Long-term exposure is carcinogenic.

Where to Test Water

Send samples to State-certified laboratories only. ADEC does not perform private well testing. Examples include:

Maintenance & Troubleshooting

Annual Maintenance Checklist

Warning Signs of Well Problems

  • Sudden loss of flow or pressure
  • Dirty or rusty water, or sudden color/odor changes
  • Odors or tastes (rotten egg = sulfur; metallic = iron)
  • Strange sounds: banging or vibration in pipes
  • Air in plumbing or "burping" taps
  • Pump short-cycling, breaker trips, or burning smell
  • Contamination detected in water tests
DIY vs. Professional
You can handle basic inspections, filter replacements, and well chlorination (following safe guidelines). Major repairs—drilling, deep pump work, persistent contamination—require a qualified well contractor. When in doubt, hire a professional.

Find a Licensed Driller

Alaska has no specific well driller license, but contractors should have a general contractor registration and Alaska business license.

Search Licensed Drillers in Alaska

Find Drillers Near You →

How to Choose a Driller

  1. Check the Alaska Water Well Association member directory
  2. Verify contractor is bonded and insured in Alaska
  3. Ask for references from recent Alaska wells
  4. Verify experience with local geology and conditions
  5. Get 2-3 written quotes
Local Knowledge Matters
Alaska's geology varies widely—glacial deposits in one region, bedrock in another, permafrost in the North. Choose a driller with experience in your specific area.

Resources & Contacts

ADEC Drinking Water Program (Anchorage)

Main DW Program Office for well standards and guidance

907-269-7656 / 1-866-956-7656Visit Website
DNR Water Resources

Water rights adjudication and well log filing (WELTS)

907-269-8505Visit Website
ADEC Chemistry Lab Certification

Certified lab directory for water testing

907-375-8210Visit Website
Alaska Water Well Association

Professional association - member directory of drillers

Visit Website

Key Regulatory References

Helpful Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

A complete well system in Alaska typically costs $12,000–$50,000 or more, depending on depth, location, and conditions. Drilling labor averages $30–$50 per foot. Additional costs include pump ($1,500–$4,000), water treatment ($1,000–$5,000), and testing ($50–$250). Remote sites and deep wells increase costs significantly.

It depends on your location. Most of Alaska has no state drilling permit requirement. However, Anchorage and North Pole require local well permits. You may also need a water right from DNR if pumping over 500 gallons per day (or >1,500 gpd for residential use).

From planning to potable water, expect 4–12 weeks. Drilling itself takes 1–5 days. Permitting (if required) and water testing add time. Season affects timeline—frozen ground in winter and scheduling delays can extend the process.

Yes. Natural arsenic is found in many Alaska aquifers, especially the Interior (Fairbanks), Southcentral (Anchorage-Kenai), and Seward Peninsula. Wells in these regions should be tested annually for arsenic. Treatment options include specialty filters or reverse osmosis.

Alaska has no specific well driller license, but contractors need a general contractor registration. Check the Alaska Water Well Association member directory (alaskawellwater.org), ask for references, and verify the contractor is bonded and insured in Alaska.
Sources & References

Primary Sources

Are You a Licensed Driller?

Check out our compliance reference for Alaska drilling regulations, forms, and requirements.

Alaska Driller Compliance Guide →