Mississippi Private Well Guide for Homeowners (2025)

Basics

When to Use a Private Well

Private wells are used wherever municipal water is unavailable or impractical – typically rural locations or lands beyond city/town service areas. In Mississippi, about 13% of residents rely on private wells (mostly in rural areas). If your property has no public water line or extending the system is too costly, drilling a well is necessary.

Well Drilling Costs in Mississippi

A complete private well system in Mississippi typically costs $4,000–$15,300, depending on depth, geology, and equipment choices.

2024-2025 Mississippi well drilling cost estimates (industry averages)
Component	Typical Cost Range (USD)	Notes
Drilling (per foot)	$15–$25/ft	Depth varies: 100–300 ft typical
Well casing (steel pipe)	$250–$2,500	Material and depth dependent
Submersible pump	$400–$2,500	Depth and capacity dependent
Pressure tank & switch	$300–$2,500	20-40 gallon tank typical
Electrical/control box	$500–$1,500	Wiring and controls
Water quality testing	$50–$650	Basic bacteria ~$10; full panel ~$650
Water treatment (if needed)	$500–$3,000	Iron filter, softener, etc.
Permitting/fees	$350–$700	Only if high-capacity permit needed
Total Project	$4,000–$15,000+	Shallow wells lower; deep wells higher

Cost Tip

Get quotes from 2-3 licensed drillers before deciding. Industry estimates (2024) put drilling alone at roughly $15–$25 per foot. Shallow "dug" wells may be as low as $2–3k, whereas deep drilled wells (several hundred feet) can exceed $10–15k.

Timeline: From Decision to Drinking Water

In most cases you can expect potable water within roughly 3–6 weeks of your decision, assuming no major delays.

Typical Mississippi well drilling timeline
Step	Duration	Notes
Planning & Contractor Selection	1–4 weeks	Find licensed driller, schedule site visit
Site Evaluation	1–2 days	Review location, septic setbacks (50 ft min)
Drilling & Casing	1–3 days	Drill, install steel casing, grout annulus
Pump Installation	1–2 days	Set pump, wire electrical, pressure tank
Disinfection/Flushing	1–2 days	Shock chlorinate (50 mg/L, 24 hours)
Water Quality Sampling	3–7 days	Collect samples, wait for lab results
Final Connection	1 day	Connect to household plumbing

Permits & Process

Do You Need a Permit?

Single-Family Domestic Well

No state permit required.

Mississippi exempts domestic wells from groundwater withdrawal permits (11 Miss. Code R. 7-1.4).

Must use licensed contractor
Follow setback rules (≥50 ft from septic tank, ≥100 ft from drainfield)
Check county for local requirements

High-Capacity Wells

Permit required from MDEQ.

Irrigation, industrial, or wells >20,000 gal/day in Water Use Caution Areas need permits.

$10 per-well application fee
Apply before drilling
Contact MDEQ at 601-961-5215

Step-by-Step Process

Contact a licensed well contractor – Mississippi law requires drilling by a licensed contractor. Use the MDEQ list or call 601-961-5215.
Site evaluation – Driller assesses property. Ensure ≥50 ft from septic tanks, ≥100 ft from drainfields. Some counties require plot plans.
Contracts and scheduling – Agree on scope, cost, timeline. Contractor handles permits and rig registration with MDEQ.
Drilling the well – Drill to desired depth (100–300 ft typical), install steel casing, grout annulus. Casing must end ≥12″ above ground (or 100-year flood elevation).
Pump & tank installation – Install submersible pump, pressure tank, wiring. Well is disinfected (shocked with chlorine).
Water sampling/testing – Collect bacteria and chemical samples. Send to accredited lab (see Water Quality section).
System handover – Driller provides logging records. State Well Report filed with MDEQ within 30 days.

Who Does What?

Driller Handles:

Licensing and rig registration
Drilling, casing, grouting per state standards
State Well Report (30-day deadline)
Initial disinfection

Homeowner Handles:

Payment for well construction and equipment
Water testing coordination and fees
Treatment system (if needed)
Record keeping

Inspections and Approvals

Mississippi does not require a special on-site inspection for private wells beyond the driller's report. However, best practice is to have the installed system checked by a competent professional. A qualified well contractor can perform an equipment inspection – checking that the pump, motor, pressure tank, and plumbing are sanitary and code-compliant.

Water Quality

Important

Private well owners should test their water annually and whenever appearance, taste, or odor changes. Many dangerous contaminants are invisible, tasteless, and odorless.

Recommended Testing

At minimum, test for total coliform (bacterial) and nitrate. Mississippi health officials also commonly recommend:

Iron, manganese, hardness (total dissolved solids), hydrogen sulfide
Lead (if plumbing contains lead) or volatile organic compounds (if nearby industrial use)

Where to Test Your Water

MSDH Private Well Program: Mississippi State Dept. of Health accepts private well samples (fee ~$10) for basic testing. Apply online at healthyms.com/wwapply or call 1-855-220-0192.
Certified laboratories: MSDH publishes a list of in-state accredited labs including Bonner Analytical (Hattiesburg, 601-264-2854), Micro-Methods (Ocean Springs, 228-875-6420), and City of Meridian lab (601-484-6836).
Extension programs: The Mississippi Well Owner Network (MSU Extension) hosts occasional free water testing clinics (662-325-1788).

Common Mississippi Water Quality Issues

Hard Water & Iron/Manganese

Many Mississippi aquifers contain minerals causing hard water (high calcium/magnesium) and high iron/manganese (rusty color or metallic taste).

Nitrate

Bacterial coliform and nitrate (from farm fertilizers or septic systems) are frequent concerns. A USGS study detected agricultural nitrate in northwest Mississippi shallow groundwater.

Other Contaminants

Sulfates, hydrogen sulfide (rotten-egg odor), and arsenic can occur in alluvial aquifers. Emerging contaminants (PFAS) have been detected in some wells.

Problem Areas by Region

Mississippi Delta (western MS): Prone to nitrate from fertilizer, higher arsenic/iron in alluvial aquifer
Central/northern MS: Limestone formations cause hard water, occasional radon
Coastal plain (southern MS): Iron-rich water, slight saltwater intrusion (higher chloride) near gulf

Treatment Options

Bacteria: Shock-disinfect well (chlorination). If coliform recurs, install UV or chlorinator systems.
Nitrates: Reverse osmosis (RO) or distillation. If well exceeds 10 mg/L NO₃-N, use alternate water or certified treatment.
Iron/Manganese: Aeration or oxidizing filters (e.g., manganese greensand) + sediment filtration.
Hardness: Conventional water softeners (cation-exchange).
Hydrogen sulfide: Aeration or catalytic carbon filters.
Arsenic: Specialized media or RO. If arsenic > 10 ppb, install certified arsenic treatment unit.

Maintenance & Troubleshooting

Annual Maintenance Checklist

Mississippi authorities recommend an annual check-up by a qualified well contractor.

Water testing: At least once per year (for coliform and nitrate at minimum)
Physical inspection: Check well casing and cap for cracks. Keep 50-foot "clean zone" around wellhead.
Pump and tank check: Test water flow/pressure. Contractor can perform flow test, measure draw-down, check pump amperage.
Equipment service: Replace filters at manufacturer intervals. Pressure tanks typically last 10–15 years.
Disinfection: Shock-treat well if bacterial contamination is found or if pump is changed.

Warning Signs of Problems

Watch for any sudden or unusual changes:

Water quality changes: New tastes, odors, cloudiness, rust-colored water or sediment
Low flow or pressure: If normally strong flow slows significantly
Pump cycling: Rapid on/off cycling (often due to failing pressure tank or drop in water level)
Electrical issues: Frequent breaker trips when pump runs
Health signals: Gastrointestinal illness from tap water – test for bacteria immediately

DIY vs. Professional

DIY tasks: Checking pressure tank air, tightening minor fittings, replacing filter cartridges, simple chlorination under guidance.

Call a licensed pro for: Drilling new wells, replacing/repairing pumps, fixing casing issues, treating stubborn contamination, complex chlorination, or rewiring. State law requires licensed contractors for drilling and pump installation.

Find a Licensed Driller

Mississippi law requires a licensed water well contractor for all well drilling work.

Search Licensed Drillers in Mississippi

Find Drillers Near You →

How to Verify a Driller

Ask for their MDEQ license number
Call MDEQ OLWR at 601-961-5215 to verify license is active
Get 2-3 written quotes
Ask for references from recent jobs
Confirm they will file the State Well Report within 30 days

Resources & Contacts

MDEQ – Office of Land & Water Resources

Licensed drillers, well construction standards

601-961-5215 Visit Website

MSDH – Division of On-Site Wastewater

Private well water testing (~$10 basic test)

1-855-220-0192 Visit Website

MSU Well Owner Network

Free water testing clinics, education resources

662-325-1788 Visit Website

MDEQ Main Office

General environmental quality inquiries

601-961-5171 Visit Website

Additional State Contacts

MSDH – Bureau of Public Water Supply: 601-576-7518 (water quality rules)
MSDH – Environmental Lab Certification: 601-576-7582 (accredited water testing labs)

Certified Testing Laboratories

Bonner Analytical Testing, Inc. (Hattiesburg) – 601-264-2854
Micro-Methods Laboratory (Ocean Springs) – 228-875-6420
City of Meridian Fresh Water Treatment Plant Lab – 601-484-6836
NASA Environmental Services, Stennis Space Center – 228-688-2053

Key Regulatory References

11 Miss. Code R. 7-2.12 – Water well construction standards (licensed drillers required)
11 Miss. Code R. 11-7-2.9 – State Well Reports (30-day filing deadline)
11 Miss. Code R. 7-1.4 – Exempts single-household wells from water withdrawal permits

Frequently Asked Questions

A complete well system in Mississippi typically costs $4,000–$15,000, depending on depth and equipment. Drilling costs average $15–$25 per foot. A shallow well (100 ft) might cost $2,000–$4,000 while a deep well (300+ ft) can exceed $10,000–$15,000 including pump, tank, and all equipment.

No state permit is required for single-family domestic wells. Mississippi exempts domestic wells from groundwater withdrawal permits. However, you must use a licensed well contractor, and some counties may require a plot plan or septic coordination. High-capacity wells (>20,000 gallons/day or irrigation) do require MDEQ permits.

The complete process from planning to potable water typically takes 3–6 weeks. Drilling itself takes 1–3 days, but scheduling a licensed contractor can add 1–4 weeks. Water testing and disinfection add another 3–7 days.

Yes, nitrate contamination from agricultural fertilizers and septic systems is common in Mississippi, particularly in the Delta region and areas with intensive farming. The Mississippi State Dept. of Health recommends annual testing for nitrate. Levels above 10 mg/L require treatment or alternate water.

Mississippi law requires all wells be drilled by a licensed contractor. Contact MDEQ Office of Land & Water Resources at 601-961-5215 for their current list of licensed drillers, or check the MDEQ website. Always verify the contractor's license is active before hiring.

Are You a Licensed Driller?

Check out our compliance reference for Mississippi drilling regulations, forms, and requirements.

Mississippi Driller Compliance Guide →

Sources & References

All information above is drawn from official Mississippi sources and extension guidance: