Well Drilling Costs in South Carolina
A complete private well system in South Carolina typically costs $5,000–$20,000, depending on depth, geology, and equipment choices. Most residential wells end up in this range, with very complex systems over $20K.
In South Carolina roughly 20% of residents use private wells for drinking water. A private well is needed whenever a property lies outside a municipal water service area or when extending water lines is impractical or cost-prohibitive. Only state-certified drillers may construct wells (SC Code §40-23-10).
Timeline: From Decision to Drinking Water
Expect 2–4 weeks from your first call to potable water if everything goes smoothly. Delays can occur if permit review or driller scheduling is slow.
Drilling crews often complete drilling and casing in 1–2 days.
Permits & Process
South Carolina requires a Notice of Intent (NOI) before drilling any residential or irrigation well.
Step-by-Step Process
- Hire a Certified Driller. By law (SC Code §40-23-10) only a licensed well driller can construct wells. Confirm credentials via the South Carolina Ground Water Association (SCGWA) directory or SC Labor, Licensing & Regulation (LLR) site. Get a written contract detailing depth, materials, and costs.
- Submit Notice of Intent (NOI). Before drilling, the homeowner or driller must submit DHEC Permit Form D-3647 (Notice of Intent) for a residential or irrigation well. The form goes to SCDHEC/SCDES (Bureau of Water) with the required fee ($70 for a household well, $50 for irrigation). This covers your general permit for construction. SCDES has up to 48 hours to review and "authorize" your NOI.
- Notify 48 Hours Before Drilling. The driller must call SCDES at least 48 hours before starting. Provide exact site location, date and time.
- Site Inspection (if any). SCDES may send an inspector to the site around drilling time to check that the plan complies with SC Wells Standards (Reg. R.61-71).
- Drill the Well. The licensed driller drills, installs casing, seals (grout) and constructs the well per standards R.61-71. The driller typically chlorinates the well upon completion (per well disinfecting guidelines).
- Install Pump & Tank. After drilling, the driller or a pump contractor installs the pump, pressure tank, wiring and plumbing to the house.
- Water Testing. Sample the well water (usually for bacteria and nitrate) and send it to a certified lab or DHEC for analysis.
- Complete Paperwork. After completion (or abandonment), the driller fills out DHEC Form D-1903 – Water Well Record and submits it to SCDES. This finalizes the permit process.
Who Does What?
Driller Handles:
- Licensing requirements
- Prepares and submits the NOI (Form D-3647) with fee
- Provides 48-hour pre-drill notice to SCDES
- Constructs the well to standards R.61-71
- Disinfects well and installs pump/tank
- Files the Water Well Record (Form D-1903) with SCDES
Homeowner Handles:
- Engages a licensed driller
- Payment
- Annual water testing and maintenance
- Lab testing coordination
- Record-keeping
Water Quality
Recommended Testing Schedule
Test total coliform bacteria and nitrate at least once per year. Add pH and TDS if concerns arise. If family members are immunocompromised, retest or add lead/copper especially if plumbing is older. Also test for arsenic if the well pH is >8.5 or radon if geology suggests it.
Free & Discounted Testing
Typically, homeowners pay for private testing. Prices for a basic bacteria+nitrate test are on the order of $75–$200. Comprehensive panels may be $200–$400. However, South Carolina does provide free/discounted testing in special cases:
- Individuals over 65 or on assistance get one free coliform test AND one free metals/minerals test per year
- Permit applicants receive their first coliform test free
- For free basic test kits, contact your local county health department or the nearest SCDES regional office
Common South Carolina Groundwater Issues
Arsenic
Many SC aquifers contain natural arsenic. It often correlates with high pH. Prolonged exposure risks cancer and skin/vascular problems.
Radium/Radon
Sandhills regions (central SC) often have elevated radium. Uranium and radon can also be in groundwater; radon in water can raise indoor air levels.
Nitrate
Farming areas (especially the Pee Dee region and Piedmont agricultural zones) can have high nitrate from fertilizers. Nitrate causes health issues for infants (blue baby syndrome).
Iron/Manganese/Sulfide
The Coastal Plain and Piedmont often yield iron- and sulfur-rich water. Iron causes metallic taste and staining; hydrogen sulfide (rotten-egg odor) can occur.
Hardness & Low pH
SC waters are often very hard (high calcium/magnesium) causing scale. Some wells in clay or granite may be acidic. Low pH can corrode pipes.
Lead/Copper
Usually from old plumbing (pH <6.5 increases metal leaching). Not geology per se, but watch for lead solder or fixtures if tests show metals.
Treatment Options
- Bacteria (coliform): Shock-chlorinate the well, maintain disinfection. For ongoing control, use a continuous chlorinator or ultraviolet (UV) light system.
- Iron/Manganese: Oxidation filters (greensand, aeration followed by filtration) or chemical oxidants (chlorination) followed by sand/carbon filters.
- Hardness: Standard ion-exchange water softener (salt-based) removes Ca/Mg hardness.
- Arsenic: Adsorptive media filters (e.g. activated alumina) or reverse-osmosis (RO) systems.
- Nitrate: Reverse osmosis (if <50 ppm) or ion-exchange "nitrate" filters; distillation in rare cases.
- Radon: Granular activated carbon filters (for water) or, more effectively, aeration/venting systems.
- Lead/Copper: Replace pipes; if levels are low but present, use point-of-entry corrosion control (raising pH) or point-of-use filter (certified for lead removal).
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
The homeowner is fully responsible for ongoing well care. Important tasks include:
Annual Maintenance Checklist
- Test water for bacteria and nitrates annually
- Inspect well cap and casing – ensure the well cap is secure and watertight
- Keep the wellhead area clear of debris, vegetation, and pollutants
- Check pump operation – if the pump cycles frequently or runs irregularly, have a pro inspect it
- Replace worn pressure tanks or wiring as needed
- Keep copies of test results, maintenance records, and the Water Well Record form (D-1903)
Warning Signs of Well Problems
Homeowners should visually inspect monthly for any change in water quality. Key warning signs include:
- Cloudy, discolored, or fouled water – Indicates sediment, bacteria, or corrosion
- Strange odor (rotten eggs, chemicals) or taste – Might signal sulfate-reducing bacteria (sulfur smell) or contamination
- Fluctuating pressure or flow – Might mean pump issues or a shrinking water column (well going dry)
- Frequent pump cycling or noises – Can indicate loss of well yield or pressure switch problems
- Change in electrical draw – If pump amperage rises, the pump or motor may be failing
Call a professional when: Low pressure persists after checking filters, or if tests repeatedly fail. Call a certified plumber or driller for pump repair/replacement, pressure switch or tank replacement. Hire a well driller or environmental contractor for disinfection beyond a simple shock treatment, for installing treatment systems (like UV or softeners), or for drilling additional wells if yield is low.
Find a Licensed Driller
South Carolina law requires a licensed water well driller for all well construction work.
Search Licensed Drillers in South Carolina
Find Drillers Near You →How to Verify a Driller
- Ask for their SC LLR license number
- Verify via SCGWA directory or SC LLR online search
- Get 2-3 written quotes
- Ask for references from recent jobs
- Verify they carry the required $25,000 surety bond
Resources & Contacts
Key Resources
- SCDES Private Wells (Overview) – general program info
- Clemson Extension Well Factsheets – testing, maintenance tips
- Official Forms – Notice of Intent (D-3647) and Water Well Record (D-1903)
- Certified Testing Labs – searchable online database (filter by certifications)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are You a Licensed Driller?
Check out our compliance reference for South Carolina drilling regulations, forms, and requirements.
South Carolina Driller Guide →Sources & References
- Clemson Extension: Residential Drinking Water Wells: Water Quality (2nd in Series)
- SCDES: Private Drinking Water Wells
- CostHelper: 2024 Cost of Well Drilling
- SCDES: Residential Wells - Forms
- SCDES: Well Water Quality Testing Services
- SCDES: Private Wells (Variance Info)
- Clemson Extension: What's on Tap? Well Water and Your Health
- SC Ground Water Association
- SC Labor, Licensing & Regulation
- SCDES: Radon Program
- TapWaterData: SC Water Testing Labs