When to Choose a Private Well
Over 73,000 Kansans rely on private wells, especially in rural areas where extending municipal or rural water service is impractical.
Public Water Benefits
- Lower initial hookup cost
- Guaranteed treatment and quality
- Meets strict state/federal standards
Private Well Considerations
Well Drilling Costs in Kansas
A complete private well system in Kansas typically costs $6,000–$20,000+, depending on depth, geology, and equipment choices.
Drilling Deeper
Local Kansas drillers note that drilling deeper can add $2,000–$4,000 extra due to hard ground conditions.
Source: Kansas Geological Survey - Drilling a Water Well on Your Land
Timeline: From Decision to Drinking Water
Expect 4–8 weeks from your first call to potable water.
Permits & Process
Step-by-Step Process
- Research site potential - Consult Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) well logs via the WWC-5 database
- Hire a licensed Kansas well driller (see Resources)
- Driller helps site the well (respecting setbacks)
- Obtain county well permit if required - Example: Sedgwick County requires permit ($50) before drilling
- Prepare site for drill rig access
- Driller completes Kansas Water Well Completion (WWC-5) form and submits electronically to KDHE
- Install pump, switch, and pressure tank
- Shock-chlorinate well
- Collect water samples (bacteria and nitrates minimum)
- County sanitarian inspects well construction, reviews WWC-5, and approves well for use
Permits & Responsibilities
Driller Handles:
- KDHE contractor's license (K.S.A. 82a-1201 et seq.)
- County permit application (typically)
- Drilling & casing installation
- Initial disinfection
- Filing WWC-5 report
Homeowner Handles:
- Payment
- Lab testing coordination
- Record keeping
- Ongoing maintenance
- Annual water testing
Homeowner Drilling
A homeowner can drill their own well on their own property for their own use, but most counties require professional installation for safety and quality.
Water Quality
Important
Kansas does not mandate specific tests by law for all private wells. However, testing is strongly recommended. EPA recommends yearly tests for coliform, nitrates, pH and other contaminants.
Recommended Testing
- At minimum (new wells): Total coliform bacteria and nitrates
- Annually: Coliform bacteria and nitrates
- After any event: Flooding, well repairs, taste/odor changes
- Special concerns: Test for arsenic if in known problem areas
Common Kansas Water Quality Issues
Nitrate
Most common contaminant in Kansas groundwater. About 30% of Kansas domestic wells exceed the 10 mg/L limit, especially in irrigated, sandy-soiled areas of south-central KS.
Hardness / Minerals
Many wells produce hard water with high calcium, magnesium, iron or manganese. Common treatment: water softeners.
Arsenic
Naturally-occurring arsenic can be elevated in some Kansas areas. Test if in known problem zones.
Problem Areas by Region
| Region | Issues |
|---|---|
| South-Central Kansas | High nitrate from intensive farming (Great Bend Prairie aquifer) |
| Southwest Kansas | High minerals (TDS, hardness, radium/uranium) in Hamilton, Kearny, Finney, Gray, Ford counties |
| Northwest Kansas | Elevated uranium, arsenic, selenium in Norton, Phillips, Rawlins, Decatur counties |
| Oilfields Area | Permian brine contamination (very high chloride) in scattered counties |
Treatment Options
- Bacteriological (coliform): Shock chlorinate, UV disinfection, or continuous chlorinator
- Nitrate: Ion-exchange, reverse osmosis (RO), or distillation
- Arsenic: RO or special adsorptive filters (activated alumina, iron-oxide media)
- Hardness (Ca/Mg): Water softener (ion-exchange)
- Iron/Manganese: Greensand or catalytic carbon filters
- Hydrogen sulfide (rotten smell): Aeration or catalytic carbon filters
Always use EPA/NSF-certified treatment devices. Consult a water treatment professional for system design.
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
Annual Maintenance Checklist
- Test water for coliform bacteria and nitrate (EPA recommendation)
- Check pressure tank gauge (typical cut-in/out ~30/50 psi)
- Inspect wellhead and casing for cracks or damage
- Drain tank and test air charge at least once a year
- Replace sediment pre-filters as needed
- Shock-disinfect if any bacterial test is positive or after repairs
Warning Signs of Well Problems
- Sudden loss of flow/pressure: May indicate pump failure or borehole issues
- Strange taste/odor/color: Black stains/musty odor may indicate coliform; rotten-egg smell (H₂S) suggests sulfate bacteria; metallic taste or reddish water hints at iron
- Burning eyes/GI illness: Often indicates bacterial contamination - get a test immediately
- Air bubbles/gurgling: May signal plugged vent or air leak
- Rusty pressure tank: Corrosion can cause pump cycling issues
DIY vs Professional
DIY Tasks
- Test your water annually (home kits or lab samples)
- Replace filters
- Disinfect with bleach (follow KDHE/extension guidelines)
- Monitor pressure tank operation
Call a Professional For:
- Pump repair/replacement
- Well must be deepened or re-drilled
- Casing is damaged
- Coliform bacteria repeat positive (beyond simple disinfection)
- Unexplained pressure drop persists
- Major modifications needed
Find a Licensed Driller
Kansas law requires a licensed water well driller for all well drilling work.
Search Licensed Drillers in Kansas
Find Drillers Near You →How to Verify a Driller
- Ask for their KDHE license number
- Verify at KDHE licensed contractors map
- Get 2-3 written quotes
- Ask for references from recent jobs
- Confirm they carry liability insurance
Resources & Contacts
Key Resources
- Kansas Certified Labs (KLAP) - State-certified labs for coliform, nitrate, metals testing
- KDHE Guidance Documents for Well Owners - Online PDFs and practical tips
- KGS WWC-5 Database - Search existing well logs in your area
Key Regulatory References
- K.S.A. 82a-1201 et seq. - Groundwater Protection Act
- K.A.R. 28-30 - Water well licensing/construction rules
Frequently Asked Questions
A complete well system in Kansas typically costs $6,000–$20,000+, depending on depth and geology. Drilling costs average $30–$50 per foot (e.g., $6,000–$15,000), with additional costs for pump ($500–$1,500), pressure tank ($300–$1,000), and testing ($50–$200). Some counties charge permit fees (e.g., $50 in Sedgwick County).
Kansas requires that only a licensed KDHE contractor drill or reconstruct wells. Some counties (like Sedgwick County) require a water well permit before drilling, typically obtained by the contractor. Check with your local county sanitarian or environmental health office.
The complete process from planning to potable water typically takes 4–8 weeks. Drilling itself takes 1–5 days, but permitting (1–4 weeks) and water testing/disinfection (1–2 weeks) add to the timeline.
Yes. About 30% of Kansas domestic wells exceed the 10 mg/L nitrate-N limit, especially in irrigated, sandy-soiled areas of south-central Kansas. Nitrate contamination from agricultural fertilizer is the most common groundwater quality issue in Kansas.
Kansas law requires licensed drillers for all well work. You can search the KDHE licensed contractors map, which provides a searchable directory of all licensed Kansas well drillers by region.
Are You a Licensed Driller?
Check out our compliance reference for Kansas drilling regulations, forms, and requirements.
Kansas Driller Compliance Guide →Sources & References
All facts in this guide are sourced from official Kansas state agencies and verified research:
- K-State Agronomy - Private Wells in Kansas: Safe Location and Maintenance Guidelines
- Kansas Geological Survey - Drilling a Water Well on Your Land
- KWCH News - Well Services Digging Deeper (2024)
- EPA - Protect Your Home's Water
- Sedgwick County - Water Well Permits
- KDHE - Water Well Program
- KGS - Water Well Completion Records (WWC5)
- Kansas Statutes - K.S.A. 82a-1205
- Kansas Administrative Regulations - K.A.R. 28-30
- KDHE - Private Well Resource Map
- KDHE - Testing of Private Water Wells
- KGS - Nitrate in Kansas Groundwater
- KDHE - Arsenic Information
- KDHE - Northwest Kansas Mineralization Study
- KDHE - Southwest Kansas Mineralization Study
- Kansas Dept. of Agriculture - Water Resources Contacts
- KDHE - Map of Well Contractors & Services