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Well Drilling in Georgia

Avg. $6,000 - $25,000 · One-time (well lifespan 30-50 years)

Cities

$6,000 - $25,000

Avg. Cost

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.

Georgia Regulations for Well Drilling

Georgia regulates septic systems through the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), Environmental Health Section. County Boards of Health issue permits and conduct inspections for all on-site sewage management systems. Georgia's regulations are found in the Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems, last updated in 2019. All new installations require a site evaluation by a county environmental health specialist, including soil analysis and a percolation test. The state requires a minimum lot size of 21,780 square feet (half acre) for properties with both a well and septic system. Systems must maintain setbacks of 100 feet from wells, 50 feet from surface water, and 10 feet from property lines. Georgia requires septic inspections at time of property transfer in the 13-county metro Atlanta area. Advanced systems require maintenance contracts filed with the county health department.

Licensing Requirements

Georgia requires all septic system installers to hold a valid Installer's Permit issued by the County Board of Health. Master Plumber or Journeyman Plumber licenses are required for connecting household plumbing to the septic system. Septic tank pumpers must obtain a Pumper's Permit and maintain records of all tanks serviced, including volumes and disposal locations. The state mandates liability insurance for all permitted installers and pumpers.

Environmental Considerations

Georgia's Piedmont region — stretching from metro Atlanta through middle Georgia — features dense red clay soils with notoriously poor percolation rates, making conventional drain fields challenging. Many properties require engineered alternatives. The Coastal Plain in southern Georgia has sandier soils and higher water tables. Metro Atlanta's rapid suburban expansion into Cherokee, Forsyth, Gwinnett, and Jackson counties has created enormous demand for new septic installations in exurban developments that outpace sewer infrastructure. Mountain counties in north Georgia have shallow bedrock similar to western North Carolina.

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 Georgia

How much does it cost to drill a well?

Well drilling costs $15-$85 per foot depending on geology, plus pump, casing, and completion. Total project costs by region: Southeast $6,000-$12,000 (shallow aquifers), Mid-Atlantic $12,000-$18,000, Midwest $8,000-$12,000, and Western states $20,000-$50,000+ (hard rock, deep aquifers). The biggest cost driver is depth — research nearby well logs before requesting quotes.

How deep does a residential well need to be?

Deep enough to reach a reliable aquifer with adequate yield (3-5 gallons per minute minimum for most homes). Average depths vary dramatically: Florida 40-80 feet, Southeast 100-200 feet, Mid-Atlantic 150-300 feet, and Western mountain areas 300-600 feet. Your county may have well log databases showing depths of nearby wells — this is the best predictor of what your well will require.

How long does it take to drill a well?

The drilling itself takes 1-3 days for most residential wells. However, the full timeline includes permitting (1-4 weeks), driller scheduling (1-4 weeks depending on season), drilling and completion (1-3 days), water quality testing (1-2 weeks for lab results), and plumbing connection (1-2 days). Total timeline from decision to running water is typically 4-10 weeks.

What happens if the driller does not hit water?

Policies vary by driller. Most charge their per-foot rate regardless — you pay for the hole whether it produces water or not. Some offer depth guarantees (drill up to a set depth before declaring dry). A few provide dry hole insurance (adds 10-15% to the quote). In the eastern US, dry holes are uncommon (under 5%). In western hard-rock areas, rates reach 10-15%. Ask about dry hole policy before signing any contract.