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.
Who's Responsible?
Homeowners are responsible for all well maintenance, testing, and water quality. The state does not inspect or regulate private well water quality.
Well Drilling Costs in Louisiana
A typical residential well (100–300 ft) costs $6,000–$15,000 total. Drilling costs vary widely by depth and geology.
Cost Tip
Costs escalate if bedrock or clay is encountered. Get quotes from multiple licensed drillers before deciding.
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.
Permits & Process
Step-by-Step Process
- Choose a licensed driller: Louisiana law (Act 49, 2003) requires a C-13 Water Well Drilling license. Verify driller licenses with LSLBC or LDNR.
- 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 LDNR. If abandoning an old well, submit GW-2 Plugging form.
No Permit Fee
Louisiana does not charge a permit fee for domestic wells. The notification is free.
Who Does What?
Driller Handles:
- Licensed C-13 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
Testing is Voluntary but Critical
Louisiana does not mandate private well testing. However, LDH strongly advises testing at least annually for coliform/E. coli. Many dangerous contaminants are invisible, tasteless, and odorless.
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.
Arsenic Alert Zones
If your property is in southern Louisiana (Mississippi Delta parishes), test for arsenic before drinking well water. Long-term exposure is carcinogenic.
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
DIY vs. Professional
You can handle basic tasks: testing, filters, chlorination, visual inspections. Major repairs (pump failure, casing damage, contamination issues) require a licensed well contractor.
Find a Licensed Driller
Louisiana law requires a C-13 Water Well Drilling license for all well drilling work (Act 49, 2003).
Search Licensed Drillers in Louisiana
Find Drillers Near YouHow to Verify a Driller
- Ask for their LDNR C-13 license number
- Verify at LSLBC (225) 765-2301 or LDNR
- Obtain list from LDNR Groundwater Resources
- Get 2–3 written quotes
- Ask for references from recent jobs
Resources & Contacts
Key Regulatory References
- LAC Title 56, Chapters 117–119 – Water well registration regulations
- Act 49 of 2003 (R.S. §37:2124) – Driller licensing mandate
- LDNR Forms – GWR-01, GW-2, and other required forms
Frequently Asked Questions
A typical residential well (100–300 ft) in Louisiana costs $6,000–$15,000. This includes drilling ($20–$30/ft), casing ($10–$25/ft), pump installation ($1,500–$4,000), pressure tank ($500–$1,500), and water testing ($100–$300). Costs increase if encountering bedrock or clay.
Louisiana does not require an advance permit for domestic (home) wells. However, you must submit a Water Well Notification (GWR-01) to LDNR after drilling is complete (within 60 days). Non-domestic wells (irrigation, industrial) require 60-day advance notification. The notification is free.
The complete process typically takes 2–12 weeks. Drilling and construction take 1–3 days, well development 1–7 days, pump installation 1–2 days, and water testing about 1 week. Total time depends on scheduling, weather, and testing results.
Yes, parts of southern Louisiana (Mississippi River Delta aquifers in Iberia, St. Mary, Terrebonne parishes) have naturally elevated arsenic. LDH data shows unsafe levels of arsenic, radon, uranium, manganese, fluoride, and nitrates in some wells. Testing is strongly recommended.
No, testing is voluntary for private wells in Louisiana. However, LDH strongly advises annual testing for coliform/E. coli. Real estate transactions often require a coliform test. Testing costs $40–$150 through parish health labs or certified private labs.
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 | LDNR
- GWR: For Water Well Owners | LDNR
- GWR: For Water Well Drillers | LDNR
- 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
- CON: Rules | LDNR
- DNR Contact Numbers | LDNR