Well Drilling in Arkansas
Avg. $6,000 - $25,000 · One-time (well lifespan 30-50 years)
Water well drilling is the process of boring a hole into the earth to access underground aquifers that provide fresh water for drinking, irrigation, and household use. Approximately 43 million Americans rely on private wells as their primary water source. Residential wells typically range from 100 to 500 feet deep depending on the local geology and water table depth, though some areas require wells exceeding 1,000 feet. The drilling method depends on the geological conditions — rotary drilling is most common for deep wells through rock formations, while cable tool (percussion) drilling works well in unconsolidated materials like sand and gravel. After drilling, the well is cased with steel or PVC pipe to prevent contamination from surface water, and a submersible pump is installed at the appropriate depth to bring water to the surface. A pressure tank system in your home maintains consistent water pressure. The complete system includes the well itself, casing, pump, pressure tank, and connection piping. New wells require permits from state or local water authorities, and most states mandate a water quality test before the well can be used. Costs vary enormously by region and depth — from $6,000 in the Southeast to over $30,000 in areas with deep bedrock or difficult drilling conditions.
Arkansas Regulations for Well Drilling
Arkansas regulates onsite wastewater systems through the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), Environmental Health Division, under Arkansas Code Annotated §14-236 and the Arkansas Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (Regulation 22). County health units under ADH authority issue permits, conduct soil evaluations, and perform construction inspections. Arkansas requires a soil morphology evaluation and site assessment before permit approval; percolation testing is used as a secondary confirmation in some situations. The state mandates 75-foot setbacks from water supply wells, 50-foot setbacks from streams, 15-foot setbacks from property lines, and 25-foot setbacks from drainage ditches. Arkansas has a tiered system recognition approach for conventional gravity, pressure distribution, mound, and aerobic treatment unit systems. The state's Ozark and Ouachita mountain regions have strict provisions for steep slope sites and shallow rocky soils. ADH also regulates septic tank manufacturers and requires all tanks to meet IAPMO standards.
Licensing Requirements
Arkansas requires septic system installers to be licensed by the Arkansas Department of Health. Installers must complete approved training, pass the ADH licensing examination, carry liability insurance, and renew annually with continuing education. Septic pumpers must be registered with ADH, maintain vehicle permits, and document all septage disposal at state-approved sites. Soil evaluators conducting site evaluations for permits may be licensed professional soil scientists or certified ADH sanitarians. Engineers designing advanced systems must hold Arkansas PE licensure. The Arkansas On-Site Wastewater Association (AOWA) supports industry training and lobbying efforts.
Environmental Considerations
Arkansas's roughly 350,000 onsite systems serve communities across a diverse landscape ranging from the Ozark Plateau and Ouachita Mountains in the north and west to the Delta lowlands of the Mississippi Alluvial Plain in the east. The Ozark and Ouachita mountain regions have thin, rocky soils over limestone and sandstone bedrock with limited drainfield siting options, particularly on steep slopes. The Buffalo National River watershed in Newton County has been the site of significant controversy over a large concentrated animal feeding operation's impact on groundwater quality, highlighting the vulnerability of Ozark karst aquifers to surface contamination including septic leachate. The Arkansas Delta's heavy clay soils have very low permeability, making conventional drainfields difficult to design and often requiring mound systems.
Signs You Need Well Drilling
- Building a new home without access to municipal water supply
- Existing well has gone dry or produces insufficient water
- Water quality has deteriorated beyond what treatment can fix
- Adding irrigation needs that exceed existing well capacity
- Existing well is contaminated and cannot be rehabilitated
The Well Drilling Process
- 1 Site assessment and hydrogeological survey to identify the best drilling location
- 2 Obtain required drilling permits from state or local water authority
- 3 Mobilize drilling rig and begin boring through soil and rock layers
- 4 Install well casing and screen at the appropriate aquifer depth
- 5 Develop the well by pumping to clear drilling debris and maximize flow
- 6 Install submersible pump, pressure tank, and connection piping
- 7 Conduct water quality testing and obtain certificate of completion
Frequently Asked Questions — Well Drilling in Arkansas
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Browse 3 cities in Arkansas for well drilling providers.
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