Well Drilling Costs in Vermont
A complete private well system in Vermont typically costs $3,000–$15,000, depending on depth, geology, and equipment choices. About 40% of Vermont households rely on private wells.
Cost Tip
Many Vermont drillers offer "guaranteed-depth" flat-rate options. Get quotes from 2-3 licensed drillers before deciding. Hard rock drilling (common in VT) can increase costs. Typical depths: 100–300 feet in bedrock, 50–150 feet in glacial sand/gravel.
Timeline: From Decision to Drinking Water
Expect 4–6 weeks from your first call to potable water. Mandatory water testing and permit processing are the longest steps.
Important
You cannot legally drink the well water until all mandatory tests confirm safety. Lab results typically take 1–3 weeks. Plan accordingly!
Permits & Process
Do You Need a Permit?
New Construction
You must obtain a Wastewater/Water Supply Permit from VT DEC.
- Licensed designer required (Class A/B)
- Permit fees: $200–$3,000
- Processing time: 2–4 weeks
- Covers both septic and well
Replacement Well
No permit required for replacing an existing well on a single-family lot.
- No state permit needed
- Must record location in town land records
- Driller still files completion report
- Faster timeline overall
Step-by-Step Process
- Hire Professionals: Engage a licensed well driller (required by law) and, for new construction, a licensed designer/engineer
- Design & Permitting: Designer prepares and submits permit application to VT DEC (new construction only)
- Drilling: Licensed driller drills well, installs casing (sealed with grout), tests yield, and disinfects
- Water Testing: Collect all required samples and send to certified lab or VT Health Lab (mandatory before use)
- Installation Complete: Once tests pass, connect pump, tank, and electrical
- State Reporting: Driller files Well Completion Report with DEC within 90 days
Who Does What?
Driller Handles:
- All drilling and casing work
- Grout sealing (minimum 20 ft)
- Well disinfection (chlorination)
- Well Completion Report (DEC form)
- Yield testing
Homeowner Handles:
- Payment for all services
- Water testing coordination and fees
- Land record registration (if no permit)
- Annual maintenance and retesting
- Treatment system upkeep
Water Quality
Vermont Law Requires Testing
By Vermont law (Act 163), ALL newly drilled or deepened wells must be tested before use. This is not optional. Required tests include bacteria and a full inorganic panel. You cannot legally drink the water until tests confirm safety.
Mandatory Testing for New Wells
Vermont law requires testing for:
- Bacteria: Total coliform and E. coli
- Inorganics: Arsenic, fluoride, lead, manganese, nitrate/nitrite, uranium, gross alpha radiation, chloride, sodium, iron, odor, and pH
- Cost: VT Health Lab charges ~$161 for complete required panel
- Results: Lab automatically sends results to VT Health Dept (1–3 weeks)
Ongoing Testing (Recommended)
After initial testing, VT Health Department recommends:
- Bacteria: Monthly or at least annually
- Full inorganic panel + radon: Every 5 years
- After any event: Flooding, repairs, taste/odor changes, illness
- Treatment systems: Yearly performance checks
Common Vermont Water Quality Issues
Arsenic
Naturally occurring in Vermont bedrock, especially southwestern VT (Bennington, Rutland counties). Drilled wells more susceptible. Test before use.
Radon/Uranium
Found statewide in wells drilled into granite or glacial deposits. All wells should be tested for radon. Air-stripping systems recommended.
Bacteria/Nitrates
Shallow wells susceptible to surface contamination from septic systems, farm fields, and runoff. Common in Champlain Valley and Connecticut River Valley.
Iron/Manganese
Common from bedrock formations. Causes rusty or black-colored water and staining. Oxidation/filtration systems effective.
Hard Water
Very common statewide due to limestone/marble aquifers (especially Barre-Montpelier belt). Water softeners widely used.
Road Salt (Chloride)
Winter salt can leach into groundwater in low-lying areas near roads. Monitor chloride levels if well is near roadways.
Arsenic Alert Zones
If your property is in southwestern Vermont (Green Mountains/Taconics region, especially Bennington and Rutland counties), arsenic is commonly found in bedrock. Test before use and consider treatment even if below the 10 µg/L standard.
Treatment Options
- Bacteria: UV disinfection systems or chlorinators
- Arsenic: Reverse osmosis, iron-oxide media filters, or aeration + filtration
- Radon: Air-stripping (aeration) systems (preferred) or GAC filters
- Nitrates: Reverse osmosis or anion-exchange resin
- Iron/Manganese: Oxidation/filtration (greensand or catalytic carbon)
- Hardness: Water softener (cation-exchange)
Always use NSF/ANSI certified treatment devices and verify performance with post-treatment testing.
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
Annual Maintenance Checklist
- Test water for bacteria (minimum annually, monthly recommended)
- Full inorganic panel + radon test (every 5 years)
- Inspect well casing, cap, and surroundings for damage
- Check pressure tank (ensure proper pressure)
- Replace filter cartridges and UV lamps per manufacturer schedule
- Keep vegetation and debris away from well pad
- Professional inspection every 10 years
Warning Signs of Well Problems
- Sudden drop in pressure or flow
- Pump running continuously or making grinding noises
- Cloudy, rusty, or discolored water
- Rotten-egg smell (hydrogen sulfide)
- Metallic or bleachy taste
- Air sputtering from faucets
- New staining on fixtures
- Foamy water or biofilm
- Recurring gastrointestinal illness
When to DIY vs. Call a Professional
DIY Tasks:
- Replace filter cartridges
- Adjust pressure tanks
- Shock chlorination (following instructions)
- Water testing (collect and send samples)
- Clear snow/debris from well pad
- Visual inspections
Call a Professional:
- Any drilling or casing work
- Pump replacement or repair
- Major plumbing or electrical work
- Persistent bacterial contamination
- High contaminant levels
- Treatment system design/installation
Find a Licensed Driller
Vermont law requires a licensed water well driller for all well drilling and major repair work.
Search Licensed Drillers in Vermont
Find Drillers Near You →How to Verify a Driller
- Ask for their Vermont well driller license number
- Verify at VT Office of Professional Regulation "Find a Professional" tool
- Check license is current and not expired
- Get 2-3 written quotes before deciding
- Ask for references from recent Vermont jobs
- Ensure driller carries liability insurance
Designer Requirement
For new construction, you must also hire a licensed designer (Class A or B) to prepare permit applications. Your driller can often recommend qualified designers.
Resources & Contacts
Key Regulatory References
- 12-030-003-X – Vermont Water Supply Rule (construction standards)
- 12-037-004 – Well Driller Licensing Rule
- 10 V.S.A. Chapter 48 – Groundwater withdrawal permits (high-capacity wells)
Certified Testing Laboratories
Use only state-certified labs for drinking water analysis. Find the complete list on the VT Health Dept. certified labs page.
Frequently Asked Questions
A complete private well system in Vermont typically costs $3,000–$15,000, depending on depth and geology. Drilling costs $25–$65 per foot (about $3,000–$8,000 for a 150-foot well). Additional costs include casing/grouting ($5–$130/ft), pump ($300–$2,500), pressure tank ($200–$1,100), mandatory water testing ($161), and permits ($200–$3,000).
It depends. For new construction, you must obtain a Wastewater/Water Supply Permit from VT DEC. Replacements of existing wells on single-family lots do NOT require a permit, but the new well location must be recorded in town land records. A licensed designer must prepare permit applications for new systems.
Yes. Vermont law (Act 163) requires ALL newly drilled or deepened wells be tested before use. Required tests include bacteria (coliform/E. coli) and inorganics (arsenic, fluoride, lead, manganese, nitrate/nitrite, uranium, gross alpha radiation, chloride, sodium, iron, odor, pH). The VT Health Lab charges about $161 for the complete required panel.
Yes. Arsenic is naturally found in Vermont bedrock, especially in southwestern Vermont (Green Mountains/Taconics) and granite formations statewide. The VT Health Department recommends all new wells be tested for arsenic, and advises setting casing at least 20 ft into fresh bedrock to bypass arsenic-bearing veins.
The complete process from planning to potable water typically takes 4–6 weeks. Drilling itself takes 1–2 days, but design and permitting (for new construction) add 2–4 weeks, and mandatory water testing adds 1–3 weeks for lab results. You cannot legally drink the well water until tests confirm safety.
Are You a Licensed Driller?
Check out our compliance reference for Vermont drilling regulations, forms, and requirements.
Vermont Driller Compliance Guide →