Well Drilling Costs in Illinois
A complete private well system in Illinois typically costs $10,000–$30,000, depending on depth (100-300 ft typical), geology, and equipment choices.
Timeline: From Decision to Drinking Water
Expect 6–12 weeks from your first call to potable water. Permit processing is often the longest step.
Permits & Process
Step-by-Step Process
1. Hire Licensed Driller
Only IDPH-licensed contractors can construct or repair wells. Get 2-3 quotes and verify their license with IDPH.
2. Site Evaluation & Design
Driller surveys site and designs well. Must maintain setbacks: 10 ft from sewer lines, 50 ft from septic tanks/animal lots, 75 ft from septic fields/manure piles.
3. Permit Application
Submit application to county health department (or IDPH if no local agent). Includes site plan showing well location, buildings, septic, and setbacks. Fee: up to $100. Permit valid 6-12 months.
4. Pre-Drilling Notice
Contractor must notify IDPH/county health at least 2 business days before drilling. Also calls JULIE (Illinois 811) for utility locates.
5. Drilling & Construction
Drilling proceeds. Contractor installs casing, grouts annulus (minimum 20 ft seal in unconsolidated formations), and disinfects well. County health may inspect.
6. Post-Construction Reporting
Within 30 days, driller files Water Well Construction Report with IDPH/county. If pump installed, separate pump installation report required.
7. Water Testing
Test water for coliform bacteria and nitrates before use (strongly recommended by IDPH). Local health department often provides low-cost test kits.
Who Does What?
Driller Handles:
- Permit application
- Pre-drilling notice (2 days)
- Drilling & casing
- Grouting (min. 20 ft seal)
- Well disinfection
- Filing construction report (30 days)
Homeowner Handles:
- Payment (up to $100 permit + drilling)
- Water testing coordination
- Above-ground plumbing
- Record keeping
- Annual maintenance & testing
- Well disclosure if selling property
Water Quality
Recommended Testing Schedule
- Annually: Coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate/nitrite
- Every 3 years: Arsenic, lead, other metals
- Northern Illinois: Add radium/uranium testing (deep wells)
- Agricultural areas: Pesticides, herbicides (atrazine)
- After any event: Flooding, well repairs, taste/odor changes
Common Illinois Water Quality Issues
Arsenic
Naturally elevated in many Illinois aquifers (glacial and bedrock). Many wells exceed EPA's 10 ppb limit. Tasteless/odorless - only lab tests detect it. Test every 3 years. Long-term exposure is carcinogenic.
Nitrates
High in agricultural areas from fertilizer/manure leaching. Standard: 10 mg/L (as N). Above this can cause "blue baby" sickness. Test annually, especially in central and north-central Illinois farm regions.
Radium/Uranium
Northern Illinois (granite, Silurian dolomite) and deep aquifers can have elevated radium above drinking-water guidelines. Private wells in northern 1/3 of state should test for radium, especially deep wells.
Iron/Manganese
Very common statewide. Causes red/brown staining (iron) or black specks (manganese). Metallic taste. Not a health hazard but nuisance. Water softeners or oxidation filters can treat.
Bacteria
Coliform bacteria and E. coli from surface runoff or failed septic systems. Wells must be disinfected after construction. Test annually. Shock-chlorinate if contaminated.
Hardness
Illinois water tends to be hard (high calcium/magnesium). Causes scale buildup in pipes and appliances. Standard ion-exchange water softeners or salt-free conditioners can treat.
Central/North-Central Illinois: High nitrates from intensive agriculture.
Southern Illinois: Naturally high arsenic in deep sandstone aquifers.
Statewide: PFAS near airports and industrial sites; arsenic in many aquifers.
Treatment Options
- Bacteria: Shock-chlorinate well, retest. UV disinfection or chlorination for ongoing control.
- Nitrates: Reverse osmosis, distillation, or anion-exchange filters.
- Arsenic: NSF-53 certified systems (reverse osmosis, granular ferric oxide, anion resin). Target ≤10 ppb.
- Radium: Ion-exchange softeners or reverse osmosis remove >90%.
- Iron/Manganese: Aeration/oxidation filters (greensand, Birm, air-injection) or water softeners.
- Hardness: Ion-exchange water softeners (salt-based) or salt-free conditioners.
- VOCs/Pesticides: Granular activated carbon (GAC) filters. Check certifications.
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
IDPH emphasizes: "Well owners have responsibility to properly maintain their wells and test regularly."
Annual Maintenance Checklist
- Test water for coliform bacteria and nitrates
- Test for arsenic every 3 years (all Illinois wells)
- Test for radium if in northern Illinois or deep well
- Inspect wellhead cap (tight, vents clear, slopes away)
- Check pressure tank air charge (typically 30-50 psi)
- Replace sediment filters and carbon cartridges
- Keep hazardous chemicals and livestock away from well
Warning Signs of Well Problems
- Cloudy/milky water or sulfurous smell (especially after storm)
- Rusty/red stains on sinks (iron)
- Black specks or film (manganese)
- Sudden drop in water pressure or flow
- Pump running continuously (short-cycling)
- Sputtering taps (air in system)
- Unusual taste (sweet, metallic, bitter, salty)
- Gasoline or chemical smell (stop use immediately)
- Cracked casing or dislodged cap
Never drill, deepen, reline, or seal a well yourself - unlicensed work is illegal and unsafe. Call a professional for electrical/pump repairs, pump replacement, or contamination issues.
Find a Licensed Driller
Illinois law requires an IDPH-licensed water well contractor for all well construction and most repair work.
Search Licensed Drillers in Illinois
Find Drillers Near You →How to Verify a Driller
- Ask for their IDPH license number
- Verify at IDPH Water Wells page
- Confirm they are licensed for water wells (not just pump installation)
- Get 2-3 written quotes
- Ask for references from recent jobs in your area
- Verify they carry liability insurance
Resources & Contacts
Key Regulatory References
- 415 ILCS 30 – Illinois Water Well Construction Code Act
- 77 IAC Part 920 – Water Well Construction Code (setbacks, casing, grouting)
- 225 ILCS 345 – Water Well and Pump Installation Contractor\'s License Act
Helpful Resources
- ILWATER Well Database – 500,000+ well records, geology data (IL State Geological Survey)
- IDPH Private Water Fact Sheets – Arsenic, nitrates, radium, coliform, well maintenance
- IL EPA Private Well Users Guide – Testing, treatment, maintenance
Frequently Asked Questions
Are You a Licensed Driller?
Check out our compliance reference for Illinois drilling regulations, forms, and requirements.
Illinois Driller Compliance Guide →