Well Drilling Costs in South Dakota
A complete private well system in South Dakota typically costs $4,000–$15,000, depending on depth, geology, and equipment choices. A typical 150-foot well runs about $5,000–$9,000.
Cost Tip
Get quotes from 2-3 licensed drillers before deciding. Costs vary by region—western South Dakota (Black Hills) often requires deeper drilling through harder rock, while eastern glacial plains typically have shallower wells at lower cost.
Timeline: From Decision to Drinking Water
Expect 4–12 weeks from your first call to potable water. Since no permit is required for domestic wells, the timeline is faster than many states.
Permits & Process
Do You Need a Permit?
South Dakota has no permit requirement for ordinary domestic wells (single-family household use) per SDCL 46-5-8. However, larger or commercial wells require a water-right permit.
Domestic Wells (No Permit)
Single-family household wells need no water-right permit.
- No state permit fees
- Optional $25 registration available
- Licensed driller still required
- Faster timeline overall
Large-Capacity Wells (Permit Required)
Wells ≥18 gpm (0.04 cubic ft/sec) require a water-right permit.
- Irrigation, commercial, municipal wells
- ~2 month permit processing
- Application to DANR Water Rights
- Public notice required
Rural Water Alternative
DANR notes that if rural water or municipal hookup is available nearby, it often provides treated, reliable water and avoids well maintenance. Check with your local rural water system before drilling.
Who Does What?
Driller Handles:
- All drilling and construction
- Casing and grouting per ARSD 74:02:04
- Pump and tank installation
- Well disinfection (chlorination)
- Filing completion report with DANR (within 30 days)
Homeowner Handles:
- Payment to driller
- Water testing coordination
- Septic system permits (county health dept.)
- Optional well registration ($25)
- Annual maintenance and testing
Water Quality
Testing Required by Law
South Dakota law (Centennial Environmental Protection Act) mandates that all new domestic wells be tested for bacteria (coliform, E. coli) and nitrate. Testing is not optional—it's legally required before use.
Required & Recommended Testing
- Required for new wells: Total coliform, E. coli, nitrate (as nitrogen)
- Recommended initially: Arsenic, iron, manganese, hardness, pH, sulfate
- Annual testing (recommended): Bacteria and nitrate
- After any event: Flooding, well repairs, taste/odor changes
Common South Dakota Water Quality Issues
Arsenic
Elevated arsenic found in western SD (Black Hills, mineralized rock areas) due to natural geology. EPA limit is 10 µg/L. Test before drinking.
Nitrate
High nitrate common in eastern SD and James River basin due to agricultural fertilizers. Levels over 10 mg/L are unsafe for infants.
Iron & Manganese
Many SD aquifers have iron/manganese-rich water causing staining on fixtures and clothing. Not a health hazard but requires filtration.
Treatment Options
- Bacteria: Shock chlorination, UV disinfection, or chlorination system
- Arsenic: Reverse osmosis (RO) or iron oxide adsorptive filters
- Nitrate: RO or ion-exchange filters (do not boil—concentrates nitrate)
- Iron/Manganese: Oxidation filters, water softeners, or greensand filters
- Hardness: Water softeners (ion-exchange systems)
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
Annual Maintenance Checklist
- Test water for bacteria and nitrate (annually)
- Check pressure tank and gauge (30-50 psi typical)
- Inspect wellhead seal and cap
- Flush sediment through outdoor spigot
- Replace filter cartridges per manufacturer schedule
- Shock chlorinate (every 1-3 years or after contamination)
Warning Signs of Well Problems
- Rusty brown water or black flecks (iron/manganese or corrosion)
- Blue-green staining (copper pipe corrosion)
- Sudden sediment or cloudiness (sand intrusion)
- Rotten-egg odor (hydrogen sulfide gas)
- Salty taste (chloride or softener issues)
- Declining flow rate or sputtering faucets (falling water level or pump failure)
- Pressure gauge reads zero or pump runs continuously
DIY vs. Professional
Homeowners can handle basic sampling, filter changes, and shock chlorination. Call a licensed well contractor for pump failures, electrical issues, major equipment problems, or persistent water quality issues.
Find a Licensed Driller
South Dakota law requires a licensed water well driller for all well drilling work. It's illegal to drill your own well or hire an unlicensed contractor.
Search Licensed Drillers in South Dakota
Find Drillers Near You →How to Verify a Driller
- Ask for their South Dakota well driller license number
- Verify at DANR Licensed Drillers Database
- Or call DANR Water Rights at 605-773-3352 to verify
- Get 2-3 written quotes including depth estimates and equipment specs
- Ask for references from recent jobs in your area
- Confirm they will file the required completion report with DANR
Resources & Contacts
Key Regulatory References
- SDCL 46-5-8 – No permit for domestic wells (via DANR summary)
- ARSD 74:02:04 – Well construction standards
- SDCL 46-6 – Groundwater and wells (licensing, reporting)
- Certified Testing Laboratories – SD state-certified water testing labs
Frequently Asked Questions
A complete well system in South Dakota typically costs $4,000–$15,000, depending on depth and geology. Drilling costs average $25–$65 per foot. A typical 150 ft well runs $5,000–$9,000 including pump ($2,000–$4,000), pressure tank ($500–$1,000), and testing ($50–$200). Optional registration costs $25.
No permit is required for ordinary domestic use (single-family household) per SDCL 46-5-8. However, wells for irrigation, commercial use, or large-capacity wells (≥18 gpm) require a water-right permit from DANR. You must hire a state-licensed driller, who will file the completion report.
The complete process from planning to usable water typically takes 4–12 weeks. Drilling itself takes 1–3 days, but planning and driller scheduling can add 1–4 weeks. Water testing adds another 4–7 days for lab results. No permit delays for domestic wells.
Yes. State law (Centennial Environmental Protection Act) mandates that all new domestic wells be tested for bacteria (coliform, E. coli) and nitrate at minimum. Additional testing for arsenic and other contaminants is strongly recommended. Annual testing is recommended thereafter.
South Dakota law requires licensed drillers for all well work. Search the online Licensed Drillers database at apps.sd.gov/denr/WellDrillers or call DANR Water Rights at 605-773-3352 to verify a driller's license. Always hire a licensed driller—it's the law.
Are You a Licensed Driller?
Check out our compliance reference for South Dakota drilling regulations, forms, and requirements.
South Dakota Driller Compliance Guide →