When You Need a Private Well
In Louisiana, about 15% of households (~500,000 people) rely on private wells. A private well is required if municipal water lines are unavailable or too costly to extend.
Well owners are fully responsible for their well's operation and water quality. Unlike public water systems, private wells are not federally regulated.
Well Drilling Costs in Louisiana
Want the full breakdown? See our Louisiana well drilling cost guide for per-foot rates, itemized components, and what quotes leave out.
A typical residential well (100–300 ft) costs $6,000–$15,000 total. Drilling costs vary widely by depth and geology.
| Component | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drilling (per foot) | $20–$30/ft | Typical 200 ft bore = $4,000–$6,000 |
| Casing & Sealing | $10–$25/ft | $2,000–$5,000 for 200 ft well |
| Pump Installation | $1,500–$4,000 | Submersible or jet pump system |
| Pressure Tank | $500–$1,500 | 20-60 gallon tank |
| Water Testing | $100–$300 | Coliform + chemistry panel |
| Permits/Fees | $50–$300 | Notification is free; local fees may apply |
| Total Project | $6,000–$15,000 | Typical 100–300 ft residential well |
Timeline: From Decision to Drinking Water
Expect 2–12 weeks from your first call to potable water. Scheduling and water testing are often the longest steps.
| Step | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Site Evaluation & Hire Driller | 1–4 weeks | Scheduling and planning |
| State Notification (if required) | After completion | Domestic wells notify within 60 days after drilling |
| Drilling & Construction | 1–3 days | Borehole, casing, sealing |
| Well Development (Flushing) | 1–7 days | Removing debris and sediment |
| Pump/Tank Installation | 1–2 days | Set pump, connect to house |
| Water Disinfection/Testing | ~1 week | Shock chlorinate, collect samples, lab results |
| Total Timeline | 2–12 weeks | Common range from start to finish |
Permits & Process
Step-by-Step Process
- Choose a licensed driller: Louisiana law (Act 49, 2003) requires a state-licensed water well driller. No license is needed under the limited owner exemption for a water well on the owner's own or leased property intended for use only in a single-family house that is the owner's permanent residence, or only for watering livestock on the owner's farm, where the water is not intended for use by the public or any residence other than the owner's own (R.S. 38:3098(C)). Since July 1, 2026 the contractor you hire (the business that bids, contracts for or does the job) must hold a license from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors for water well work of $1 or more (Act 481 of 2026, R.S. 37:2156.5). Its employees and the crew working under its supervision are covered by that license (R.S. 37:2157(A)(12), R.S. 38:3098(D)). That limited owner exemption and agricultural construction by a farmer on owned or leased land (R.S. 37:2157(A)(4)) still apply. Verify driller licenses with LSLBC.
- Site evaluation: Driller surveys property, checks depth to water table, soil type, and locates septic systems.
- Permit/notification: For non-domestic wells (irrigation, dewatering), submit Water Well Notification (GWR-01) 60 days before drilling. For domestic wells, submit GWR-01 after drilling (no advance wait).
- Drilling the well: Driller drills, installs casing, and seals annulus per state standards. If flooded, disinfect with bleach, flush thoroughly, and retest.
- Well development & pump hookup: Well is flushed to remove fines. Pump and pressure tank installed. Plumbing connected to house.
- Water testing: Test water for bacteria and chemicals before use.
- Final notification: Within 30 days of finishing, file Well Completion/Registration with the Department of Conservation and Energy (C&E, formerly LDNR/DENR). If abandoning an old well, submit GW-2 Plugging form.
Who Does What?
Driller Handles:
- Licensed contractor verification
- Drilling, casing, sealing per state code
- Initial well disinfection
- Filing GWR-01 notification
- Providing completion report to owner
Homeowner Handles:
- Initiating notification paperwork
- Payment for drilling and testing
- Lab testing coordination
- Record keeping (well log copy)
- Ongoing maintenance and testing
Water Quality
Well water testing in Louisiana
The Louisiana Department of Health Private Well Initiative handles private well water quality in Louisiana. Louisiana does not require ongoing testing but strongly recommends annual bacteria tests; your parish health unit sanitarian can collect and analyze samples, and lender-required tests can be ordered online.
Not sure what to test for? See our national guide to well water testing or order a certified lab test kit shipped to your door.
Recommended Testing
- At minimum (annually): Total coliform, E. coli (Parish labs charge ~$150 sanitarian-collection or $40 self-collection)
- Every 3–5 years: Arsenic, nitrates, iron, manganese, fluoride
- After any event: Flooding, repairs, taste/odor changes
- Real estate transactions: LDH sanitarians collect samples and issue Water & Sewer Approval letters
Common Louisiana Water Quality Issues
Arsenic
Elevated in Mississippi Delta aquifers (southern LA parishes: Iberia, St. Mary, Terrebonne). LDH reports unsafe levels in some wells.
Iron/Manganese
Many Gulf Coastal Plain wells contain naturally high iron/manganese (rust stains). Common treatment: oxidizing filters or water softeners.
Bacteria
Flooding and storm surge cause coliform/E. coli contamination. Wells must be disinfected and retested before use after flooding.
Nitrates
Agricultural runoff raises nitrates in farming parishes (e.g., Avoyelles, East Baton Rouge floodplains).
Hard Water
High calcium/magnesium is common. Causes scale buildup. Treatment: ion-exchange softeners or reverse osmosis.
Saltwater Intrusion
Coastal parishes (Plaquemines, Lafourche) face saltwater intrusion in Acadiana aquifers from over-pumping.
Treatment Options
Treatment must be tailored to the contaminant:
- Bacteria: UV sterilizer, continuous chlorination, or shock chlorination
- Iron/Manganese: Oxidizing filters (greensand), aeration + filtration, or water softeners
- Hydrogen Sulfide (rotten-egg odor): Aeration, oxidation, or catalytic carbon filters
- Hard Water: Ion-exchange softeners or reverse osmosis
- Nitrates/Arsenic: Reverse osmosis or specialty ion-exchange filters
- Low pH (acidic): Calcium carbonate neutralizer cartridges
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
Annual Maintenance Checklist
- Test coliform annually (LDH recommends)
- Inspect wellhead and cap for cracks or insect entry
- Keep area around well clear (NO chemicals, gasoline, livestock within 50 ft)
- Change pressure tank bladder or filters as needed
- Flush well periodically to remove sediment
- Disinfect ("shock") well yearly or after repairs
Warning Signs of Well Problems
- Cloudiness, discoloration, or rotten-egg odor
- Drop in water pressure or surging faucets
- Pump cycling frequently or running continuously
- Metallic taste or oily film
- Positive bacterial test (coliform/E. coli)
- Visible damage to casing or pollution scent
Find a Licensed Driller
Louisiana law requires a state water well driller license for well drilling work (except under the limited owner exemption for the owner's own permanent residence or livestock, R.S. 38:3098(C); see step 1 under Permits & Process for its conditions) (Act 49, 2003). Since July 1, 2026 the contractor doing the job must also hold a license from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) for water well work of $1 or more (Act 481 of 2026). Its employees and supervised crew are covered by that license (R.S. 37:2157(A)(12), R.S. 38:3098(D)); that limited owner exemption and agricultural construction by a farmer on owned or leased land (R.S. 37:2157(A)(4)) still apply.
Search Licensed Drillers in Louisiana
Find Drillers Near YouHow to Verify a Driller
- Ask for their state water well driller license number
- Verify at LSLBC (225) 765-2301
- Obtain list from C&E Groundwater Resources
- Get 2–3 written quotes
- Ask for references from recent jobs
Resources & Contacts
Louisiana Dept. of Health (Private Well Program)
Well testing information and guidance
C&E Groundwater Resources Program
Well construction regulations, notifications, registration forms
LA State Licensing Board for Contractors
Licenses water well drillers; contractor search (S.14 Water Well Drilling)
Key Regulatory References
- LAC Title 56, Chapters 117–119 – Water well registration regulations
- Act 49 of 2003 (R.S. §37:2124) – Driller licensing mandate
- C&E Forms – GWR-01, GW-2, and other required forms
- Act 481 of 2026 (R.S. 37:2156.5) – the contractor's LSLBC license for water well work of $1 or more (S.14 Water Well Drilling), subject to applicable exemptions, effective July 1, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to drill a well in Louisiana?
Do I need a permit to drill a well in Louisiana?
How long does it take to drill a well in Louisiana?
Is arsenic a problem in Louisiana wells?
Is well water testing required in Louisiana?
Are You a Licensed Driller?
Check out our compliance reference for Louisiana drilling regulations, forms, and requirements.
Louisiana Driller Compliance GuideSources & References
- Private Well Initiative | Louisiana Department of Health
- Louisiana Private Well Owner Network | LDH
- GWR: Program Page - FAQ | DENR archive
- GWR: For Water Well Owners | DENR archive
- Office of Permitting and Compliance Forms | C&E
- Real Estate Well Testing Requirements | LDH
- Private Well Testing Information | LDH
- Private Water Well Testing in Lafayette and Lake Charles Area | LDH
- High arsenic concentrations in southern Louisiana groundwater - ScienceDirect
- Chloride concentrations in Southern Hills aquifer, Louisiana | USGS
- Laboratory Certification | LDH
- Contact Us - LSLBC
- Changes to Contractor Licensing Laws | LSLBC memo, July 13, 2026
- R.S. 37:2157 - Exemptions | Louisiana Legislature
- CON: Rules | DENR archive
- DNR Contact Numbers | DENR archive