Well Drilling Costs in Arizona
A complete private well system in Arizona typically costs $5,000–$20,000+, depending on depth, geology, and equipment choices. Drilling alone often runs $25–$60 per foot under normal conditions.
Cost Tip
Get quotes from 2-3 licensed drillers. A 200-ft well with 4″ PVC casing might cost approximately $7,000 to drill. Adding pump, tank, and testing brings the total to $5,000–$20,000 or more.
Note on Municipal Water: State law forbids drilling a domestic well within 100 feet of a municipal assured-water-supply main in active management areas (AMAs).
Timeline: From Decision to Drinking Water
Expect 3–8 weeks from start to finished water (often 4–6 weeks for a straightforward new well). ADWR must review the NOI within 15 calendar days by statute.
Permits & Process
Do You Need a Permit?
Yes. Prior to any drilling, you must submit ADWR Form 55-40 (Notice of Intent) with filing fee to ADWR. The ADWR fee is $100 for an exempt (≤35 gpm) domestic well outside an AMA (otherwise $150).
ADWR Notice of Intent (NOI)
- File before drilling begins
- Fee: $100 (exempt domestic) or $150 (AMA/non-domestic)
- Landowner must sign (or provide written authorization)
- ADWR reviews within ≤15 days
County/Local Permits
- Most counties require well construction permit
- Plumbing/electrical permit for pump hookup
- May require proof of ADWR NOI filing
- Final bacteriological test often required
Step-by-Step Process
- Site & Permit Check: Confirm no municipal water available (if nearby in an AMA, exemption restrictions apply).
- Hire Licensed Driller: All new wells must be drilled under a licensed well driller. Homeowners may obtain a free single-well license if drilling personally.
- File ADWR Notice: Submit NOI (Form 55-40) with fee. Drillers need written authorization from landowner.
- Obtain Local Permits: Pull any required county permits (well construction, plumbing/electrical).
- Drill the Well: Driller drills, casing is set and grouted per ADWR's Minimum Well Standards.
- Completion Certification: Driller provides detailed drill log to ADWR within 15 days of completion.
- Water Testing: Collect and submit water samples. Many counties require passing bacteria test.
- Finishing Work: Install pump, pressure tank, connect to household plumbing. Complete county inspections.
Who Does What?
Driller Handles:
- Bringing equipment and drilling
- Installing casing and pump
- Submitting drill log to ADWR (within 15 days)
- Meeting ADWR construction standards
- Often helps collect water samples
Homeowner Handles:
- Signing ADWR NOI (or providing authorization)
- Paying fees (drilling, equipment, tests, permits)
- Arranging site prep and permits
- Ensuring water tests are done
- Final hookups and record keeping
County Examples
Maricopa County: Contact Environmental Services (Drinking Water Program) at 602-506-6935.
Yavapai County: Contact Development Services at 928-771-3214.
Yavapai County: Contact Development Services at 928-771-3214.
Water Quality
Important
Arizona does not mandate water testing for private wells, but ADHS strongly recommends testing at start-up and periodically. Private well owners should test when they first use the well and if they are concerned about its safety.
Recommended Testing
- At minimum (start-up & periodically): Total coliform bacteria and nitrates (especially if infants are present)
- Depending on geology: Arsenic, uranium, fluoride, or other metals
- Annual: Bacteria/nitrates
- Every 3–5 years: Metals like arsenic (or if taste/smell changes)
Homeowners pay lab fees (typically $30–$100 per analyte or $100–$200 for a multi-parameter panel). Many counties recommend or require an initial coliform test for building permits. Find certified labs at ADHS's laboratory list.
Arizona's Typical Groundwater Issues
Arsenic
Over half of sampled wells in the Phoenix area exceed 5 µg/L. Over 10% of Tucson/Sierra Vista wells also exceed 5 µg/L. Natural arsenic from volcanic and sedimentary rocks. Chronic risk (skin, cancers).
Nitrate
Common in farming/irrigated areas. Some Phoenix-area basins exceed the EPA limit of 10 mg/L. Causes: fertilizer runoff, feedlot leaching, septic tanks. Infants vulnerable (methemoglobinemia).
Radioactivity (Radon/Uranium)
Most AZ well waters contain detectable radon gas and often low uranium. Radon can off-gas into indoor air (lung cancer risk). Test both water and indoor air.
Hardness & TDS
Much of AZ's groundwater is very hard (high calcium/magnesium). As you move from southeast to northwest, total dissolved solids increase due to evaporite deposits. Hard water causes scale. High TDS (>500–1,000 mg/L) can taste brackish.
Other Metals
Fluoride and manganese can be naturally elevated (especially where volcanic rocks predominate). Iron and sulfate are commonly high. Old wells could pick up lead or bacteria from surface seepage if improperly sealed.
Arsenic Alert Zones
High arsenic areas: Primarily central/southern Arizona. Groundwater basins around Phoenix (Salt River Valley) and east of Tucson (Santa Cruz County) have numerous wells >10 µg/L. Sierra Vista/Tombstone area also has arsenic above standards. Parts of northern AZ like Paulden and Dewey/Humboldt are known locally for arsenic. Test before using well water for drinking.
Treatment Options
- Arsenic: Use high-quality reverse osmosis (RO) or activated alumina filter. Many RO systems can remove ~90% of arsenic.
- Nitrate: RO systems or ion-exchange (anionic resin) units. Distillation is effective but costly.
- Radon: Point-of-entry aeration (spray aerator or packed-column degasser). At minimum, aerate water and have a home radon test kit.
- Hardness/Iron: Water softener (cation exchange) for calcium/magnesium. Oxidizing filters (greensand, catalytic carbon) for iron/manganese.
- Bacteria/Coliform: Shock disinfect the well (chlorinate 12–24 hours, then flush). Install UV disinfection or chlorinator if bacteria recur.
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
Ongoing Maintenance
- Test water at least yearly for bacteria and nitrates; every 3–5 years for metals (arsenic, uranium, etc.)
- Check pressure tank's air charge every 6–12 months (~20–25 psi when empty for a cut-in ~30 psi system)
- Ensure well cap and seal are intact and watertight
- Grade ground so surface runoff drains away from well head
- Shock chlorination after any plumbing repairs, flooding, or bacteria detection
- Maintain file with drilling records, permits, test results, pump service reports
Warning Signs of Well Problems
- Sudden Loss of Pressure/Flow: Could signal pump failure, clogged screen, or dropping water table
- Air in Water / Rapid Cycling Pump: Lost pressure tank bladder or waterlogged tank
- Discolored or Cloudy Water: Brown/red = iron/sediment; black/gray = manganese/organic matter; white haze = air
- High Electricity Use or Noise: Pump motor running more often indicates inefficiency or strain
- Visible Damage: Cracks in casing, loose well cap, or holes near well risk contamination
DIY vs. Professional
DIY (Low-Risk Tasks): Checking tank pressure, cleaning aerators, replacing pre-filters, flushing system, mild chlorination, installing point-of-use filters.
Call a Professional When: Drilling the well, installing/repairing pump, deep electrical work, replacing major components, serious contaminants detected. Anything that risks health or requires code compliance is a job for a licensed expert.
Call a Professional When: Drilling the well, installing/repairing pump, deep electrical work, replacing major components, serious contaminants detected. Anything that risks health or requires code compliance is a job for a licensed expert.
Find a Licensed Driller
Arizona law requires a licensed well driller for all well drilling work.
Search Licensed Drillers in Arizona
Find Drillers Near You →How to Verify a Driller
- Ask for their ADWR license number
- Search ADWR's Well Drillers List by zip code or name
- Get 2-3 written quotes
- Ask for references from recent jobs
- Verify they will handle ADWR NOI filing
Single-Well License
Homeowners may obtain a free single-well license if drilling personally (one exempt well on their own land). Most hire a contractor instead.
Resources & Contacts
County Health/Development Contacts
- Maricopa Co. Environmental Services – Drinking Water Program: (602) 506-6935
- Yavapai Co. Development Services (Environmental): (928) 771-3214
- Pinal Co. Site Development & Building: (520) 866-6550
- Pima Co. Regional Water Quality: (520) 639-6279 (Tucson area)
Key Regulatory References
- A.R.S. §45-595 – Well construction requirements; licensing of well drillers
- A.R.S. §45-596 – Notice of intention to drill; fee
- A.A.C. Title 12, Chapter 15, Article 8 – ADWR well construction and licensing rules
Frequently Asked Questions
A complete well system in Arizona typically costs $5,000–$20,000, depending on depth and location. Drilling costs average $25–$60 per foot. A 200-ft well with PVC casing may cost around $7,000 to drill, with additional costs for pump ($900–$2,500), pressure tank ($300–$800), testing ($100–$300), and ADWR permit ($100).
Yes. Before drilling any new well in Arizona, you must file a Notice of Intent (NOI, Form 55-40) with ADWR. The filing fee is $100 for exempt domestic wells outside an AMA ($150 if in an AMA or non-domestic). You also need county permits in most areas. Licensed drillers typically handle the paperwork.
The complete process typically takes 3–8 weeks. ADWR must review the NOI within 15 days by statute. Drilling itself takes 1–3 days. County permits add 1–2 weeks. Water testing and system hookup add another 1–2 weeks.
Yes, arsenic is a significant concern. Over half of sampled wells in the Phoenix area exceed 5 µg/L. Over 10% of Tucson/Sierra Vista wells also exceed this level. High arsenic areas include central and northeast Arizona. Testing is strongly recommended, and treatment (RO or activated alumina) may be needed.
Arizona does not mandate testing for private wells, but ADHS strongly recommends testing at start-up and periodically. Essential tests include total coliform bacteria and nitrates. Depending on geology, testing for arsenic, uranium, fluoride, or other metals is wise. Many counties recommend or require initial coliform tests.
Are You a Licensed Driller?
Check out our compliance reference for Arizona drilling regulations, forms, and requirements.
Arizona Driller Compliance Guide →Sources & References
- Arizona Revised Statutes § 45-454 - Exemption of small non-irrigation wells
- Maricopa County - Shared Wells DD 2019-02
- BigHow.com - Well Drilling Costs
- Arizona Revised Statutes § 45-596 - Notice of intention to drill; fee
- ADWR - For Well Drillers
- Arizona Revised Statutes § 45-595 - Well construction requirements; licensing of well drillers
- ADWR - Well Drilling in Arizona
- Maricopa County - Drinking Water Permits
- Yavapai County - Well Permits
- UA Cooperative Extension - Wells & Septic Systems
- USGS - Water Quality in the Central Arizona Basins
- USGS - Maps of estimated nitrate and arsenic concentrations in basin-fill aquifers
- ADWR - Contact Us
- ADEQ - Contact Us
- ADHS - Licensed Commercial Drinking Water Laboratories
- ADHS - Well Water Safety