Well Drilling Costs in Maine
Private well installation in Maine typically costs $6,000โ$15,000 for a 150-300 ft residential well, and can exceed $15,000โ$30,000 for very deep or difficult sites (borehole.com.ng).
Cost Tip
Get quotes from 2-3 licensed drillers before deciding. Costs vary significantly by depth and geology. Drilling through hard granite or glacial rocks increases costs.
Timeline: From Decision to Drinking Water
Expect 4โ8 weeks from your first call to potable water, assuming no major issues. Drilling takes 1-2 days, but testing should wait 2-3 weeks after drilling to allow sediments to settle (inniswelldrilling.com).
Winter Delays
Severe winter conditions or tight road access may delay drilling. Plan accordingly if drilling during Maine's winter months.
๐ Permits & Process
Do You Need a Permit?
State Level
No state well permit required for private residential wells (Maine CDC).
- Private wells are not regulated as "public water systems"
- Licensed drillers must file well report with Maine Geological Survey
Local Level
Some towns or counties may require local permits.
- Check with your town office or code enforcement
- Land Use Regulatory Commission if in unorganized territory
- Septic permits handled separately by Subsurface Wastewater Program
Step-by-Step Process
- Contact a licensed well driller. Find a Maine-licensed driller (professional listings).
- Site selection. Maintain at least 100 ft from septic leach fields or tanks, plus distance from fuel tanks and agricultural areas (Maine CDC setbacks).
- Local permits/approval. Check with town office or LURC. Call 811 ("Dig Safe") for utility locates.
- Contract and preparation. Sign drilling contract, secure site access.
- Drilling. Driller drills through soil into bedrock, installs casing, tests yield.
- Well reporting. Driller must file well completion report with Maine Geological Survey within 30 days (12 M.R.S. ยง550-B).
- Pump installation. Install appropriate pump and pipes at tested depth.
- Disinfection. Shock chlorinate entire system (Maine CDC shock chlorination guide). Flush and let unused for 1-2 days.
- Testing. Wait 2-3 weeks for sediments to settle, then collect water samples and send to certified lab. Test at minimum for coliform/E. coli and nitrates (Maine CDC testing recommendations).
- Activation. Once tests are satisfactory, activate system. Install treatment if needed.
Who Does What?
๐ง Driller Handles:
- Must be Maine-licensed (144 CMR 232)
- Drilling, casing installation
- Pump installation (if licensed pump installer)
- Shock chlorination
- Filing well completion report with MGS
๐ Homeowner Handles:
- Securing site access and local permits
- Paying all costs (drilling, equipment, testing, treatment)
- Water testing and treatment โ homeowner is responsible for water quality (Maine CDC)
- Ongoing maintenance
Water Quality
Critical
Private well owners in Maine are not legally required to test their water, but failing to test could be dangerous (Maine CDC). Many contaminants are invisible, tasteless, and odorless.
Recommended Testing
- Initial testing (after drilling): Wait 2-3 weeks for sediment to settle. Test at minimum for total coliform bacteria, E. coli, and nitrate/nitrite (Maine CDC).
- Annual testing: Test yearly for coliform/E. coli and nitrates/nitrites.
- Every 3-5 years: Test for arsenic, fluoride, hardness, iron, manganese, copper, lead, sodium, pH, radon, uranium.
- After any event: Shock chlorination, plumbing work, flooding, or water quality changes.
Common Maine Water Quality Issues
Arsenic
About 10% of Maine wells exceed 10 ฮผg/L (USGS study). Hotspots: southern coastal counties, central Maine (Kennebec County), Hancock County. Test annually if in these regions.
Radon & Uranium
Radiological minerals in bedrock can dissolve into water. Many Maine wells have measurable radon or uranium. Testing is recommended (Maine CDC).
Iron/Manganese
Groundwater often contains dissolved iron and manganese, causing staining and odor. Maine wells are frequently "hard" (calcium) and "ferruginous" (iron).
Bacteria
Coliform bacteria occur when surface water or septic enters well. More common in shallow wells or improperly sealed wellheads. Always disinfect and test after drilling.
Nitrates
Elevated near agricultural fertilizers or septic systems. Aroostook County (potato/dairy), Washington County, and southern Maine farms are common problem areas (UMaine Extension).
PFAS
"Forever chemicals" found in some Maine groundwater near airports, landfills, or manufacturers. Consider testing if near known PFAS sites.
Treatment Options
- Bacteria: Shock chlorination first. If recurs, check wellhead for leaks. Point-of-entry UV lamp or continuous chlorination (Maine CDC).
- Arsenic: Reverse osmosis (RO) removes ~95% (Maine CDC arsenic guide). Anion-exchange or iron-oxide filters also effective.
- Nitrates: RO, distillation, or anion-exchange systems.
- Iron/Manganese: Water softeners (cation exchange) or oxidizing filters (greensand).
- Hard water: Salt-based water softener (ion exchange).
- Low pH: Calcite neutralizing filter or soda ash feed.
Consult a Professional
Maine CDC recommends consulting a qualified water-treatment professional to evaluate water chemistry and design the correct system (arsenic treatment checklist). Always retest after installing treatment.
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
Annual Maintenance Checklist
- โTest water for bacteria and nitrates (Maine CDC)
- โShock-chlorinate well at least once a year (inniswelldrilling.com)
- โCheck pressure tank (recharge air if needed)
- โInspect wellhead seal and cap (ensure tight, no surface water entry)
- โReplace filters (sediment, RO membranes, UV bulbs) per schedule
- โInspect pump operation (watch for decreased flow or cycling)
Warning Signs of Well Problems
- Drop in faucet pressure or shorter pump run (may signal leak or failing pump)
- Pump running continuously (short-cycling)
- Rusty, cloudy, or odorous water (iron, manganese, or bacteria)
- Rotten-egg smell (sulfur bacteria or chemical contamination)
- New staining on fixtures (brown/black = iron/manganese; blue-green = copper corrosion)
- Well runs dry in summer then comes back (retest after recharge)
DIY vs. Professional
You can handle simple tasks: changing filters, adding softener salt, UV bulbs, measuring water levels, shock-chlorination (if carefully done). Call a licensed professional for structural issues, pump replacement, casing repairs, or persistent contamination (Maine CDC). Never enter a well yourself.
๐ง Find a Licensed Driller
Maine law requires licensed well drillers and pump installers for all well work (144 CMR 232).
Search Licensed Drillers in Maine
Find Drillers Near You โHow to Verify a Driller
- Download lists of Licensed Well Drillers and Pump Installers (updated regularly by Maine Well Drillers Commission)
- Contact the Commission at 207-287-5699 or email DWPlicensing.dhhs@maine.gov to verify license
- Check for Master or Journeyman license (Master = โฅ3 years experience)
- Get 2-3 written quotes
- Ask for references from recent jobs
Do Not Hire Unlicensed Drillers
All well drilling and pump installation work must be performed by licensed professionals in Maine. Unlicensed work is illegal and may void insurance or cause safety issues.
๐ Resources & Contacts
Certified Testing Labs
Use a Maine-certified drinking water testing lab (list of certified labs). Examples: Maine Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL), Northeast Lab Services, Pace Analytical.
Key Regulatory References
- 12 M.R.S. ยง550-B โ Well reporting requirements
- 144 CMR 232 โ Well Drillers & Pump Installers Rules
- 32 M.R.S. Ch. 69-C โ Water Well Commission and licensing
โ Frequently Asked Questions
A complete well system in Maine typically costs $6,000โ$15,000 for a 150-300 ft residential well. Drilling averages $30-60/ft for bedrock, with additional costs for pump ($1,500-$4,000), pressure tank ($300-$800), and testing ($100-$500). Deep or difficult sites can exceed $15,000-$30,000.
No state well permit is required for private residential wells in Maine. However, some towns may require building permits or local approvals. Check with your town office or the Land Use Regulatory Commission if in unorganized territory. Licensed drillers must file a well completion report with the Maine Geological Survey within 30 days.
Expect 4-8 weeks from decision to potable water. Drilling takes 1-2 days, pump installation 1 day. Testing should wait 2-3 weeks after drilling to allow sediment to settle. If water treatment is needed (for arsenic, etc.), add 1-4 weeks for installation.
Yes. About 10% of Maine wells exceed the EPA limit of 10 ฮผg/L for arsenic. Hotspots include southern coastal counties (York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc), central Maine (Kennebec County), and Hancock County (Ellsworth area). Testing is strongly recommended in these regions.
Download the list of Licensed Well Drillers and Pump Installers from the Maine CDC website, or contact the Well Drillers Commission at 207-287-5699. Always verify the driller's license number before hiring. All well work must be performed by licensed professionals in Maine.
Are You a Licensed Driller?
Check out our compliance reference for Maine drilling regulations, forms, and requirements.
Maine Driller Compliance Guide โSources & References
All information sourced from official Maine government publications:
- Maine CDC โ Private Well Water: maine.gov
- Maine CDC โ Testing Your Wellwater: maine.gov
- Maine CDC โ Shock Chlorination: maine.gov
- Maine CDC โ Arsenic in Drinking Water: maine.gov
- Maine Well Drillers Commission: maine.gov
- Maine Geological Survey โ Well Database: maine.gov
- 12 M.R.S. ยง550-B (Well Reporting): legislature.maine.gov
- USGS โ Arsenic in Maine Wells: pubs.usgs.gov
- UMaine Extension โ Nitrate: extension.umaine.edu
- Innis Well Drilling FAQ: inniswelldrilling.com
- Borehole.com.ng โ Maine Well Costs: borehole.com.ng