Nevada Private Well Guide

Well Basics in Nevada

When Do You Need a Private Well?

Private wells are used in Nevada whenever a property is not served by a public water system. State law actually forbids drilling a new home well if municipal or district water is "available to the property" unless a formal waiver is obtained. In practice, you need a private well if you build or live in a rural area without access to a utility line. If your lot does have a nearby water main, you generally must hook up to it per NAC 534.315.

Well Drilling Costs in Nevada

Industry sources estimate approximately $30 per foot of drilling. A typical 300-foot residential well might cost $5,000–$15,000 including drilling, casing, and basic equipment.

Timeline: From Decision to Drinking Water

Expect 1–3 weeks total from your first call to potable water. Drilling itself often takes just 1–3 days, but permitting and water testing add time.

Permits & Process

Step-by-Step Drilling Process

1. Engage a Licensed Well Driller. Nevada law requires all wells to be drilled by an NDWR-licensed driller.
2. Submit Notice of Intent (NOI) to State Engineer. The driller must file an NOI with the State Engineer's Office (NDWR) and receive approval before setting up the rig (NAC 534.320).
3. Drilling & Construction. The driller drills the well, installing casing and grouting as required by NAC 534. Any pump testing is limited to 72 hours.
4. Install Pump System. Once the hole is complete, a contractor typically installs the submersible pump, pressure tank, and electrical wiring.
5. Water Quality Testing. The owner should sample the well water (e.g., total coliform, nitrate, arsenic) at this point for safety.
6. Submit Reports. Within 30 days after completion, the driller must file a Well Driller's Report with NDWR, documenting well location, depth, casing, static water level, yield, etc.

Permit Responsibilities

Required Inspections/Approvals

State rules mainly rely on documentation: there is no routine "inspect and approve" by NDWR beyond approving the NOI and reviewing well logs/reports. The driller's report must include pumping test data and static levels, which NDWR can audit.

Local inspections: Washoe County requires on-site inspections at key stages: the owner schedules inspections via the EHS office at (775) 328-2434. The driller must follow NAC construction standards (NAC 534.300+).

Water Quality

Mandatory Water Testing

While there is no state-mandated testing for private wells, when a well's water is tested for real estate transfer ("escrow"), Nevada law (NRS 445A.863) requires that any potable water test for compliance use a Nevada SDWA-certified lab. In practice, homeowners pay for testing (typical cost $150–$400 for a full panel).

Common Groundwater Contaminants in Nevada

Regional "Hot Spots"

Private wells with elevated arsenic and metals are most often in the Great Basin's classic basins – e.g., the Lahontan/Carson River basin (Carson Valley, Reno area) and the Walker/Steamboat basins (Fallon area). The recent Desert Research Institute study noted very high arsenic in the Carson Sink/Fallon area, and uranium/manganese in scattered wells. Nitrate problems tend to appear in irrigated basins like Snake/Carson Valley and Pahrump Valley.

Treatment Options

If testing shows a problem, treatment depends on the contaminant:

• Arsenic: Nevada DEP recommends reverse osmosis (RO) systems or strong-base anion-exchange filters to reduce levels below 10 µg/L.
• Nitrates: Southern NV health regulators suggest RO, electrodialysis (ED), or anion-exchange resin at point-of-use.
• Iron and manganese: Can often be removed by standard water softeners or oxidizing filters.
• Coliform bacteria: Shock-chlorinate and flush the well, and/or install a UV filter.
• Hardness: Removed by conventional water softeners.

Always use NSF/ANSI-certified equipment for drinking water treatment.

Maintenance & Troubleshooting

Routine Maintenance

Regular testing is crucial. At minimum, EPA advises annual testing for bacteria and nitrates. Maintenance also includes:

• Inspecting that the wellhead/cap is sealed and not subject to flooding
• Keeping hazardous chemicals (pesticides, fuel, fertilizer) far away
• Servicing the pressure tank (checking air pre-charge) and pump every few years
• Replacing drinking-water filters as recommended
• Shock chlorinating the well whenever bacteria is detected or suspected

Warning Signs of Problems

DIY vs. Professional

Routine testing and simple fixes (e.g., changing a faucet filter, flushing the system, small plumbing fixes) can be DIY. Shock chlorination of the well can also be done by informed homeowners. However, drilling, pump repairs/replacement, and complex treatment installations should be done by licensed contractors. If you suspect a structural problem (e.g., collapsed casing) or persistent contamination, hire a professional driller or environmental contractor. Never attempt major well modifications or electrical work without a pro, as mistakes can corrupt the water source.

Find a Licensed Driller

Nevada law requires all wells to be drilled by an NDWR-licensed driller.

How to Verify a Driller

1. Use NDWR's online Driller Search to locate a current contractor (all well contracts must be with a licensed driller)
2. Ask for their NDWR license number
3. Verify at the NDWR website or by calling (775) 684-2800
4. Get 2-3 written quotes
5. Ask for references from recent jobs
6. Check with the Nevada Water Resources Association for industry listings

Resources & Contacts

Certified Testing Labs

Only state-certified laboratories may handle drinking-water samples for compliance (NRS 445A.863). NDEP publishes an up-to-date list of Nevada-certified drinking water labs (e.g., Sparks, Reno, Las Vegas sites). See Southern Nevada Health District's certified lab list.

Key Regulatory References

• NAC 534.315 – Domestic well rules
• NAC 534.320 – Notice of Intent requirements
• NAC 534.340 – Driller's report requirements
• NRS 445A.863 – Lab certification requirement

Frequently Asked Questions