Well Drilling Costs in Missouri
A complete private well system in Missouri typically costs $3,000–$10,000, depending on depth and site conditions.
Industry sources report typical drilling rates of $25–$50 per foot in Missouri, with a finished 100–300 ft residential well often in the $3,000–$10,000 range (sometimes more for deep or difficult sites).
Additional components: a submersible pump (~$1,000–$4,000), a pressure storage tank (~$500–$1,500), and any needed treatment equipment. Water tests add $50–$200 per panel, and treatment equipment (softeners, filters, RO systems) typically run $1,000–$3,000 if needed.
Timeline: From Decision to Drinking Water
A new private well can typically be completed in 2–6 weeks, but this varies by scheduling and permits.
Important: After drilling, the well must be chlorinated and a sample tested. If coliform/E. coli appears, the well is re-chlorinated and retested.
Once tests are clear, the water is safe to drink even while the final paperwork is processed. By law the driller must file the Water Well Report with DNR within 60 days of completion.
Permits & Process
Do You Need a Permit?
Missouri law requires licensed well drillers to obtain a DNR well construction permit for any paid drilling work. Homeowners may drill their own well without a permit, but must still meet all construction standards.
Your driller will:
- Obtain the DNR well permit online
- Handle all construction standards
- Drill, case, and grout the well
- Chlorinate and test the water
- File the Water Well Report within 60 days
If drilling your own well:
- No permit required
- Must meet all DNR construction standards
- Must follow casing and setback rules
- Still need to test water
- Must comply with 10 CSR 23
Step-by-Step Process
- Plan & hire a driller. Contact a licensed well driller to discuss location, depth, casing requirements, and yield expectations.
- Permitting. The contractor obtains a DNR well construction permit online (unless you drill your own well).
- Drilling the well. The drill crew bores the well, sets casing, and grouts as required. Deep wells often require steel casing through upper formations, plus 30+ ft of casing into solid rock. Drilling usually takes 1-2 days.
- Install pump and equipment. A submersible pump, drop tubing, control box, pressure tank, and wiring are installed. Plumbing from the well to the house is connected.
- Well disinfection. The well is chlorinated ("shocked") once installation is done.
- Water sampling. Collect a sample for bacteria (total coliform and E. coli) and nitrate testing. If coliform or E. coli are found, the well must be re-disinfected and retested immediately.
- Certification/report. The driller completes the Water Well Report and submits it to DNR within 60 days. If construction followed code, DNR issues a certification number to the owner.
Water Quality
Recommended Testing Schedule
- At installation: Complete new well analysis (bacteria, nitrate, metals)
- Annually: Total coliform/E. coli and nitrates
- Every 3-5 years: Heavy metals panel (arsenic, lead, uranium, etc.)
- After any event: Flooding, well repairs, taste/odor changes
Important: Beyond initial testing, there is no ongoing mandatory testing for private wells in Missouri. However, DNR and health officials recommend annual testing for bacteria and nitrates, plus heavy metals every 3-5 years.
The homeowner is responsible for arranging and paying for these tests through the State Public Health Lab or a certified laboratory.
Common Water Quality Issues
Microbial Contamination
Runoff from fields or septic systems can introduce bacteria. Flooding or septic failure often leads to total coliform or E. coli. Always test after heavy rains.
Nitrates
Agricultural areas (fertilizers/manure) often yield nitrate levels above EPA's 10 mg/L limit. High nitrate is especially dangerous to infants. Corn Belt and Bootheel farms are hotspots.
Hard Water & Iron
Much of Missouri lies on limestone aquifers, giving naturally hard water and often elevated iron/manganese. Hard water causes scale; iron causes reddish staining. The Bootheel's shallow alluvial sands yield "soft" water but often high iron.
Heavy Metals & Arsenic
Missouri's mining regions (SW MO, Tri-State) can leach lead, cadmium, manganese, and arsenic. Arsenic also occurs in some rock-soil zones and old orchard lands. Test if in these areas.
- Southeast ("Bootheel"): Intensive farming; heavy rains can drive nitrates into shallow sands. Generally plentiful water but may contain iron.
- SW Missouri (Tri-State, Joplin): Legacy lead/zinc mining produces higher iron, manganese, occasionally lead or cadmium.
- Ozark Plateau: Fractured limestone. Hard water. Some wells show sulfide odor or naturally high radon.
Voluntary Sampling Maps
Missouri DHSS provides Private Well Sampling Maps online showing state lab test results by county for arsenic, nitrate, bacteria, etc. These voluntary data indicate which counties frequently exceed limits.
Treatment Options
- Sediment filter: Removes sand/mud from well flow
- Water softener: Ionic exchange to remove hardness (Ca/Mg), prevents scale
- Iron/Manganese filter: Greensand or catalytic carbon filters to oxidize and trap iron/manganese
- Activated carbon filter: Traps organic chemicals, radon
- Reverse osmosis (RO): Very effective at removing nitrates, fluoride, arsenic, uranium
- UV disinfection: Kills bacteria and viruses
- Acid neutralizer: For low-pH water
Maintenance & Problems
Routine Maintenance
Missouri DNR recommends proactive maintenance:
- Keep wellhead casing ≥1 ft above ground with secure cap
- Ensure required setbacks (often ≥50 ft from septic)
- Inspect for cracks in casing or cap, damaged pitless adapters
- Keep area around well free of trash, vegetation, drain channels
- Shock chlorination every few years or after contamination
- Plug abandoned wells professionally
Warning Signs of Well Problems
- Water changes color, taste, or smell (rust, rotten-egg sulfide, sweet chemical odors)
- Staining or deposits on fixtures (rust-colored from iron, slimy buildup from manganese)
- Pressure/flow drop or pump short-cycling
- Pump noise, surging, or frequent breaker trips
- Persistent positive bacteria tests after chlorination
- Surface pooling or odors near wellhead
Find a Licensed Driller
Missouri DNR's online Well Installation Services ("WIMS") database lets you search all permitted water well and pump contractors.
How to Verify a Driller
- Ask for their DNR well permit number
- Verify at Missouri Wells Database
- Call DNR Well Installation Section (Rolla) at 573-368-2165
- Get 2-3 written quotes
- Ask for references from recent jobs
Resources & Contacts
Key Resources
- Request Water Test Kit – Free sample kits from local health departments
- Certified Chemical Labs – Search by analyte
- Certified Microbiological Labs
- Missouri Well Construction Rules (10 CSR 23)
Frequently Asked Questions
📚 Sources & References
All information on this page is sourced from official Missouri state agencies and verified research.
- Water Wells - PUB2945 | Missouri Department of Natural Resources
- Well Installation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - PUB2193
- Private Drinking Water | Missouri DHSS
- Contaminants | Private Drinking Water | Missouri DHSS
- How Much Does It Cost to Drill a Well? | HomeAdvisor
- Maintain Your Private Water Well | Missouri DNR
Are You a Licensed Driller?
Check out our compliance reference for Missouri drilling regulations, forms, and requirements.
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