Well Basics
When Do You Need a Private Well?
Most NY homes are on public water supply (~90%). Use a private well when your property is not served by a municipal or district water main, typically in rural or exurban areas.
NYS DOH advises connecting to public water if available because public water is routinely tested by certified operators. If extending a water line is impractical or costly, drilling a well is the alternative.
Well Drilling Costs in New York
A new drilled residential well (100–200 ft deep) typically costs $4,000–$15,000 total, depending on depth and site conditions. Industry sources estimate roughly $25–$60 per foot for a complete well system.
Cost Tip
Get quotes from 2-3 registered drillers before deciding. Costs rise with depth and rock conditions. Hard rock areas (Adirondacks, Catskills) often require more drilling time.
Timeline: From Decision to Drinking Water
From deciding to drill until you can use the water typically takes 2–6 weeks under normal conditions. Busy seasons, bad weather, or permit reviews can extend this.
Permits & Process
Step-by-Step Process
- Contact Authorities & Contractors: Check with your local health department about permit requirements. Hire a NYSDEC-registered well driller.
- Permitting: Submit the required application to your county health department (often under NYS Sanitary Code Appendix 5-B). Required documents typically include a site plan showing well location and distances to septic tanks, driller credentials, and casing/grout plans.
- Pre-Drill Notice (DEC): The driller must file a Preliminary Notice with NYSDEC before starting drilling (per ECL §15-1525).
- Drilling & Construction: The driller drills, installs casing and grout, and develops the well. The well must meet NYS DOH construction standards (casing depths, sanitary seal, proper well cap). If a flowing well is encountered, it must be controlled.
- Disinfection: Immediately after construction (and after any repairs), the driller or owner shocks the well with chlorine to eliminate contamination.
- Water Sampling: Collect a water sample (post-chlorination) and send it to a state-certified lab for testing.
- Inspections & Approvals: The local health department inspects the completed well and reviews lab results. The well cannot be used for drinking until it passes inspection/testing.
- DEC Completion Report: The driller must submit a Water Well Completion Report to NYSDEC (and give a copy to you) documenting depth, yield, and geology.
- System Hookup: Once approved, connect the pump and plumbing so the well feeds the house plumbing.
Minimum Setback Requirements
Appendix 5-B Table 1 mandates these minimum distances from contamination sources:
- 50 ft from septic tank or privy vault
- 100 ft from septic leach field, absorption bed, barnyard, stable, or cemetery
- 150 ft from unlined fuel/chemical tank or seepage pit
- 200 ft from cesspools, manure piles, lagoons, or leaching pits
NYC Note
Within New York City, a DOHMH permit is required to install or use any water well (per NYC Health Code Art.141.17). NYC wells are rare and governed by city rules.
Water Quality
Important
New York law does not mandate homeowner testing (private well water is unregulated), but NYS DOH strongly recommends it: "Test well water at least once a year for bacteria and each time after the well is disinfected or receives maintenance."
Recommended Testing
For any new well, DOH recommends a comprehensive lab analysis for contaminants known to occur locally. At minimum, test for:
- Bacteria: Total coliform and E. coli
- Nitrate/Nitrite: Especially if near farms or septic
- Arsenic: Common in many NY rock formations
- Lead: From plumbing (test if house is old or water corrosive)
- Iron & Manganese: For staining/taste issues
- pH & Hardness: For water chemistry and plumbing corrosion
After the well is in use, DOH advises annual testing for coliform bacteria and periodic re-testing of other key contaminants (nitrate, heavy metals, VOCs, etc.).
Common NY Water Quality Issues
Arsenic
Naturally occurring in many upstate aquifers (Adirondacks, northern NY, parts of lower Hudson drainage). DOH warns of arsenic-related cancers. Test annually in high-risk areas.
Nitrates
High in agricultural areas (Finger Lakes, southern Tier) and places with heavy septic use. Causes "blue baby" syndrome at high levels.
Hard Water
Limestone areas (western NY, Tug Hill) yield very hard water (scale in pipes). Iron/manganese common (brown or black staining).
Arsenic Alert Zones
If your property is in the Adirondacks, northern NY, Mohawk Valley, or areas with bedrock outcroppings, test for arsenic before using well water for drinking. Long-term exposure is carcinogenic.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the contaminant:
- Bacteria: Shock chlorination can temporarily sanitize. For persistent bacteria, install a continuous chlorinator or UV disinfection unit.
- Nitrates: Ion-exchange or reverse osmosis systems on drinking taps
- Arsenic: RO, ion-exchange resin, activated alumina, or special oxidation + filtration
- Iron/Manganese: Aeration or green sand filtration, or water softener
- Hardness: Ordinary water softener (salt-based ion exchanger)
- Lead: Correct corrosive water (adjust pH), replace lead plumbing, or install certified lead-removal filter
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
Ongoing Maintenance
- Annual checks: Inspect wellhead and cap (should be ≥6″ above grade). Keep area around well clear. Test for coliform bacteria once per year and nitrate every 1–3 years.
- Equipment: Check pump, pressure tank, valves, gauges, and controls. Pressure tanks may need re-pressurizing or replacement every 5–15 years.
- Shock & Chlorinate: Chlorinate the well after any repair, power failure, or if contamination is suspected. Cayuga County provides a formula (about 1–1.5 gal household bleach per 100 ft of drilled well).
- Recordkeeping: Keep logs of maintenance (dates of filter changes, chlorination) and all lab test results. This history helps diagnose issues.
Warning Signs
- Sudden changes in color, taste or odor (e.g. brown/red water, sulfur smell)
- Drop in water pressure or well running frequent short cycles
- Air spitting from taps
- Gurgling or hammering sounds in pipes or pump
- Visible leaks or damage near wellhead
- Test failures (positive coliform or rising nitrates)
DIY vs. Professional
Homeowners can safely do routine shock chlorination, change simple filters, and minor plumbing. Always call a registered well contractor for drilling and major repairs (casing problems, pump replacement, drilling deeper).
Find a Registered Driller
New York requires a NYSDEC-registered water well contractor for all well drilling work.
Search Registered Drillers in New York
Find Drillers Near You →How to Verify a Driller
- Use the NYSDEC Water Well Contractor Search Tool to find registered drillers by county
- Ask for their DEC registration number
- Verify they have passed required NGWA exams
- Check registration is current (renewed annually by March 31)
- Get 2-3 written quotes
- Ask for references from recent jobs
Resources & Contacts
Key Regulatory References
- 10 NYCRR Appendix 5-B – Standards for Water Wells
- NY Environmental Conservation Law §15-1525 – Water well contractor registration
- NYSDOH Fact Sheet #3 – Individual Water Supply Wells
Frequently Asked Questions
A complete well system in New York typically costs $4,000–$15,000, depending on depth and site conditions. Drilling costs average $25–$60 per foot for a complete well system (100–200 ft deep). Additional costs include pump ($500–$2,500), pressure tank ($300–$2,500), and water testing ($50–$200).
Most counties require a well permit under NYS Public Health Law Appendix 5-B. Contact your local health department for specific requirements. The driller must also file a Preliminary Notice with NYSDEC before drilling begins.
From deciding to drill until you can use the water typically takes 2–6 weeks under normal conditions. Drilling itself takes 1–3 days, but permitting, water testing, and county inspections add time. Busy seasons or weather delays can extend this timeline.
Yes, arsenic is naturally occurring in many upstate aquifers, especially in the Adirondacks, northern NY, and parts of the Hudson drainage. NYS DOH warns it is often found near bedrock outcroppings or glacial deposits. Testing is strongly recommended in high-risk regions.
NYS DOH recommends testing for coliform bacteria at least once per year, and after any well repairs, disinfection, flooding, or taste/odor changes. Test for nitrate every 1–3 years (especially if near agriculture or septic systems). In arsenic-prone areas, test annually.
Are You a Registered Driller?
Check out our compliance reference for New York drilling regulations, forms, and requirements.
New York Driller Compliance Guide →📚 Sources & References
All information on this page is sourced from official New York State agencies:
- Cornell Cooperative Extension - Wells & Supply
- NYS DOH - Private Well Testing Press Release (March 2024)
- NYS DOH Fact Sheet #3 - Individual Water Supply Wells
- Renotag - Well Drilling Cost Estimates (2024)
- GeoSeek - NY Private Wells: Permits, Testing & Safe Setbacks
- NYSDEC - Water Well Contractor Program
- Wyoming County NY - Private Water Program
- Cayuga County NY - Private Wells (Disinfection Procedures)
- NYC Business - Well Water Permit
- Cornell LII - 10 NYCRR Appendix 5-B
- FindLaw - NY ECL §15-1525
- Justia - Appendix 5-B Table 1 (Setback Requirements)