Well Drilling Costs in Washington
Want the full breakdown? See our Washington well drilling cost guide for per-foot rates, itemized components, and what quotes leave out.
A complete private well system in Washington typically costs $10,000–$25,000, depending on depth, geology, and equipment choices.
| Component | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drilling & Steel Casing | $8,000–$20,000 | Depends on depth (~175 ft typical). Per-foot rates ~$25–$50/ft |
| Well Cap/Seal | Included | Stainless or sanitary cap on top of casing |
| Pump & Pressure System | $1,000–$3,000+ | Submersible pump (1–2 HP) + pressure tank |
| Filtration/Softener | $500–$2,000+ | Optional; for iron, hardness, arsenic treatment |
| Notice of Intent Fee | $200–$300 | Ecology fee: $200 for wells <12", $300 for ≥12" |
| Water Testing (2–3 tests) | $50–$150 | Coliform, nitrate (~$50 each), arsenic $25–$50 |
| Site Prep & Plumbing | $500–$2,000 | Grading, trenching, pitless adapter, electrical hookup |
| Total Project | $10,000–$25,000+ | Complete home well system (drilling through pump) |
Timeline: From Decision to Drinking Water
Expect 4–8 weeks from your first call to potable water. The 72-hour Notice of Intent requirement and water testing are key steps.
| Step | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Planning & Permits | ~1 week | Submit Notice of Intent (Ecology) at least 72 hrs before drilling |
| Drilling & Installation | 2–5 days | Drill/bore well, set casing, install pump & pressure tank |
| Water Testing | 1–2 weeks | Lab analysis for bacteria, nitrates, arsenic (5–10 day turnaround) |
| Final Connection/Activation | 1–2 days | Shock chlorination, flush lines, restore site, finalize plumbing |
| Total Timeline | 4–8 weeks | Weather, scheduling, and test results may extend timeline |
Permits & Process
Notice of Intent Requirement
Washington requires a Notice of Intent (NOI) filed with the Department of Ecology at least 72 hours before drilling begins. This is not a water-right permit, just a notification.
Required for all well construction.
- File at least 72 hours before drilling
- Fee: $200 (wells <12") or $300 (wells ≥12")
- Submit online via Ecology's Well Construction & Licensing System with a SAW account, or request a paper form at wclo@ecy.wa.gov
- Driller typically handles paperwork
Domestic wells using <5,000 gal/day are exempt from water-right permits (RCW 90.44.050).
- RCW 90.44.050 also exempts stock watering, "the watering of a lawn or of a noncommercial garden not exceeding one-half acre in area" and "an industrial purpose in an amount not exceeding five thousand gallons a day"
- No state water-right permit needed
- NOI still required for construction
- Check local county requirements
Who Does What?
Driller Handles:
- Notice of Intent filing and fee
- Drilling and casing installation
- Initial disinfection (chlorination)
- Pump installation
- Filing Well Report (within 30 days)
Homeowner Handles:
- Payment
- Lab testing coordination and fees
- Local county permits (if required)
- Plumbing connections to house
- Record keeping
Water Quality
Well water testing in Washington
The Washington State Department of Health handles private well water quality in Washington. WA DOH recommends annual coliform bacteria and nitrate testing, plus arsenic testing at least twice (summer and winter) while you own the well. Requirements for new wells vary by county.
Not sure what to test for? See our national guide to well water testing or order a certified lab test kit shipped to your door.
Recommended Testing
- Annually: Total coliform bacteria and nitrates
- At least twice during ownership: Arsenic (summer and winter samples)
- Every 3-5 years: Full chemical analysis including metals
- After any event: Flooding, well repairs, taste/odor changes
Common Washington Water Quality Issues
Arsenic
Found throughout Washington, especially in South Whidbey Island, Spokane County, and western Cascade areas. Safe limit is 10 ppb. Test at least twice during ownership.
Nitrates
Elevated in agricultural areas (Lower Yakima Valley, western Benton/Franklin County). Safe limit is 10 mg/L. DOH offers free testing in some zones.
Iron & Hardness
Very common in Columbia Basin and northeastern Washington. Causes rust-colored water and deposits. Water softeners are common solutions.
Treatment Options
Common contaminants and typical fixes:
- Arsenic: Reverse osmosis (RO) or NSF-certified arsenic removal filters
- Nitrates: Reverse osmosis or anion-exchange filtration
- Bacteria: Shock chlorination (bleach) followed by flushing; UV treatment for maintenance
- Iron/Manganese: Oxidizing filters or water softeners
- Hardness: Standard water softener (ion-exchange)
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
Annual Maintenance Checklist
- Test water for coliform bacteria and nitrates
- Test for arsenic every 3–5 years (or twice during ownership)
- Inspect wellhead cap and casing seal
- Check pressure tank (drain sediment annually)
- Replace sediment/carbon pre-filters (every 3–6 months)
- Consider shock chlorination (especially after flooding)
Warning Signs of Well Problems
- Cloudy, discolored, or rust-colored water
- New or sudden odor (rotten egg, metallic)
- Sudden drop in pressure or flow
- Pump running continuously or cycling rapidly
- Positive bacteria test (coliform/E. coli)
- Visible leaks around wellhead
Find a Licensed Driller
Washington requires a licensed well operator to construct, alter or decommission a well, with narrow exceptions. RCW 18.104.180(1) exempts "Any individual who personally constructs a well on land which is owned or leased by the individual or in which the individual has a beneficial interest as a contract purchaser and is used by the individual for farm or single-family residential use only. An individual who constructs a well without a license pursuant to this subsection shall comply with all other requirements of this chapter and rules adopted by the department, including but not limited to, well construction standards, payment of well construction fees, and notification of well construction required by RCW 18.104.048. An individual without a license may construct not more than one well every two years pursuant to the provisions of this subsection."
Search Licensed Drillers in Washington
Find Drillers Near You →How to Verify a Driller
- Ask for their WA Ecology license number
- Verify at Ecology's Well Construction & Licensing System
- Check for appropriate license type (Water Well Operator)
- Get 2-3 written quotes
- Ask for references from recent jobs
Resources & Contacts
WA Dept. of Health – Office of Drinking Water
Private well water quality guidance and testing resources
WA Dept. of Ecology – Water Resources
Well construction, Notice of Intent, licensed driller search
WA Dept. of Ecology – Well Construction
Technical well construction questions
Key Regulatory References
- WAC 173-160 – Well construction standards
- RCW 90.44.050 – Permit-exempt domestic wells
- RCW 18.104 – Water Well Construction Act (licensed drillers required)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to drill a well in Washington?
Do I need a permit to drill a well in Washington?
How long does it take to drill a well in Washington?
Is arsenic a problem in Washington wells?
How do I find a licensed well driller in Washington?
Are You a Licensed Driller?
Check out our compliance reference for Washington drilling regulations, forms, and requirements.
Washington Driller Compliance Guide →