Well Drilling Costs in West Virginia
A complete private well system in West Virginia typically costs $3,000–$10,000, depending on depth, geology, and equipment choices. Rocky Appalachian terrain may increase costs.
Cost Tip
Get quotes from 2-3 licensed drillers before deciding. Rocky terrain in the Appalachian Plateau can slow drilling and increase costs. Deeper wells (>300 ft) can exceed $10,000.
Timeline: From Decision to Drinking Water
Expect 1–3 months from your first call to potable water. Permitting and scheduling often drive the timeline.
Permits & Process
Required Permit
West Virginia law requires a well drilling permit for all new or modified wells. The permit is issued through your County Health Department.
Form SW-256: Application to Construct/Modify/Abandon a Water Well
- Submit to: County Health Department
- Deadline: At least 5 days before drilling
- Fee: $0 (no state fee; some counties charge $0-$50)
- Site Inspection: Some counties (e.g., Monongalia) require sanitarian visit before approval
Emergency Exception
In emergencies (pump failure, water outage), the 5-day advance notice is waived, but you must file the permit within 30 days after starting work.
Step-by-Step Process
- Choose a Licensed Driller: WV law requires a certified water well driller
- Submit SW-256: Driller helps complete permit application to County Health Dept
- Site Inspection: Some counties require sanitarian visit to verify setbacks
- Drilling: Driller follows 64 CSR 46 design standards
- Disinfection: Shock chlorination after drilling
- Water Testing: Collect sample for bacteria test (minimum)
- Final Reports: Driller files SW-258 (completion) and SW-262 (pump) within 30 days
- Approval: Health Dept reviews test results; well approved if bacteria-free
Who Does What?
Driller Handles:
- Must be state-certified
- Helps complete SW-256 permit
- Drilling & casing per 64 CSR 46
- Disinfection (shock chlorination)
- Files SW-258/SW-262 reports
Homeowner Handles:
- Submit permit application
- Pay any county permit fee
- Ensure site accessibility
- Coordinate water testing
- Keep records for property sale
Water Quality
Important
West Virginia requires bacteriological testing before any new well can be used. Additional testing for metals and minerals is strongly recommended.
Required & Recommended Testing
- Required (before use): Total coliform bacteria, E. coli
- Recommended (initial): Nitrates, arsenic, iron, manganese, radon, pH
- Annual testing: Coliform bacteria
- Every 2-3 years: Nitrates, metals panel
- After events: Flooding, plumbing changes, taste/odor changes
Common West Virginia Water Quality Issues
Iron & Manganese
Very common in WV bedrock aquifers. 31% of wells exceed iron limit (0.3 mg/L), 49% exceed manganese limit (0.05 mg/L). Causes brown/black staining, metallic taste.
Arsenic
7% of private wells exceed EPA limit (10 µg/L). Highest risk in southern coalfield counties (Permian-age aquifers). Long-term exposure is carcinogenic.
Radon
34.5% of wells exceed proposed EPA level (300 pCi/L). High-radon area, especially northern and eastern WV. Test both air and water.
Hard Water
Common in limestone strata. High calcium/magnesium causes scale buildup in pipes and fixtures. Water softeners are common solutions.
Acidic pH
Eastern WV (higher elevations) can have acidic wells (low pH). Can corrode pipes and leach metals. Neutralizing filters recommended.
Sulfur Odor
Hydrogen sulfide gas causes "rotten egg" smell. From organic decay or minerals. Aeration or carbon filters can remove.
High-Risk Areas
Arsenic & Radon Zones: Southern coalfield counties (Logan, Boone, Raleigh) have higher arsenic and radon from Permian geologic formations. Test specifically for these if in mining areas or known mineral zones.
Where to Test
- County Health Departments: Basic bacteria/nitrate tests ($15-$50)
- Certified Labs: Full chemical analysis ($50-$100+). See WV DHHR certified lab list
- Form SW-253: Use for submitting samples to health labs
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
Annual Maintenance Checklist
- Test water for bacteria (annual minimum)
- Check pressure tank air charge (30-50 psi)
- Inspect wellhead seal and cap for cracks
- Replace sediment filters (every 6-12 months)
- Shock chlorination every 1-2 years
- Keep chemicals away from wellhead
Warning Signs of Well Problems
- Cloudy or colored water (particulates, iron bacteria)
- Bad taste or odor (sulfur, petroleum, metallic)
- Discoloration/stains (brown/orange iron, black manganese, blue-green copper)
- Low flow or pressure (pump failure, clogged intake, low water level)
- Pump cycling erratically (failing pressure tank)
- Noisy pump system (grinding, rumbling)
- Frequent plumbing leaks (acidic water corrosion)
- Taste/sight change after rain (surface contamination)
DIY vs. Professional
You can handle routine testing, filter changes, and wellcap inspection. Major repairs (pump replacement, casing damage, structural issues) require a licensed driller. WV can fine homeowners for unlicensed well work.
Find a Licensed Driller
West Virginia law requires a certified water well driller for all well drilling work.
Search Licensed Drillers in West Virginia
Find Drillers Near You →How to Verify a Driller
- Ask for their WV DHHR certification number
- Search the WV Water Well & Pump Installer Certification database
- Check for Master Well Driller (MWD) or Journeyman (JWD) certification
- Verify insurance and bonding (required by state)
- Get 2-3 written quotes
- Ask for references from recent jobs
Resources & Contacts
Key Forms & Documents
- SW-256: Application to Construct/Modify/Abandon a Water Well (permit form)
- SW-258: Water Well Completion Report (filed by driller)
- SW-262: Pump Installation Report (filed by driller)
- SW-253: Request for Potable Water Testing (sample submission)
- SW-261: Water Well Abandonment Report
Key Regulatory References
- 64 CSR 19: Water Well Regulations (licensing, permitting, reporting)
- 64 CSR 46: Water Well Design Standards (construction requirements)
- 64 CSR 15: Cross-Connection Control (if dual water sources)
Frequently Asked Questions
A complete well system in West Virginia typically costs $3,000–$10,000, depending on depth and geology. Drilling costs average $25–$50 per foot (rocky terrain costs more), with additional costs for pump ($900–$2,500), pressure tank ($200–$600), and testing ($15–$100). Typical wells are 100–150 feet deep.
Yes. All new wells in West Virginia require a drilling permit (Form SW-256) from your County Health Department. Submit at least 5 days before drilling. Some counties require a site inspection. There is no state permit fee, though some counties charge a small fee ($0-$50).
The complete process from planning to potable water typically takes 1–3 months. Drilling itself takes 1–3 days, but permitting (2–4 weeks) and water testing/disinfection (1–2 weeks) add to the timeline. The driller must file completion reports (SW-258, SW-262) within 30 days.
The most common issues are iron and manganese (31% and 49% of wells above EPA secondary standards), which cause staining and taste issues. Arsenic affects ~7% of wells (especially in southern coalfield counties). Radon is high in 34.5% of wells. Acidic pH and hard water are also common. Always test for bacteria, nitrates, iron, manganese, arsenic, and radon.
West Virginia law requires a certified water well driller for all well work. Search the WV DHHR Water Well & Pump Installer Certification database online, or contact your County Health Department for a list of licensed drillers in your area.
Are You a Licensed Driller?
Check out our compliance reference for West Virginia drilling regulations, forms, and requirements.
West Virginia Driller Compliance Guide →