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Well Drilling in Myrtle Beach, SC

Horry County County · 0 providers · Avg. $6,000 - $25,000

About Well Drilling in Myrtle Beach

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.

What Myrtle Beach Homeowners Should Know

Local Soil Conditions: Wando and Lakeland soil series are the primary upland soils in the Myrtle Beach area — excessively drained, deep Entisols with fine to medium sand throughout the profile. These soils offer excellent percolation (less than 3 minutes per inch in many locations) but minimal treatment capacity for nutrients and pathogens. Closer to tidal creeks, the Waccamaw and Paxville soils — poorly drained, organic-matter-rich Ultisols and Histosols — have water tables within inches of the surface and cannot support conventional drain fields.

Water Table: Upland Wando soils have water tables at 5–10 feet on barrier island ridges and inland terraces. However, proximity to the coast means tidal fluctuations influence groundwater elevation within 0.5–1 mile of tidal waters, and storm surge events can temporarily elevate water tables across wide areas. Low-lying pocosins and Carolina bay wetlands throughout Horry County maintain near-surface water tables year-round.

Climate Impact: Myrtle Beach has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Annual rainfall averages 52 inches with a summer peak from June through August driven by afternoon thunderstorms and tropical weather. Hurricane season (June–November) is a major concern — Horry County has experienced significant septic system damage from multiple landfalling storms including Floyd (1999), Matthew (2016), and Florence (2018), which caused prolonged flooding across the county's flat coastal plain.

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. 1 Site assessment and hydrogeological survey to identify the best drilling location
  2. 2 Obtain required drilling permits from state or local water authority
  3. 3 Mobilize drilling rig and begin boring through soil and rock layers
  4. 4 Install well casing and screen at the appropriate aquifer depth
  5. 5 Develop the well by pumping to clear drilling debris and maximize flow
  6. 6 Install submersible pump, pressure tank, and connection piping
  7. 7 Conduct water quality testing and obtain certificate of completion

No Well Drilling providers listed yet in Myrtle Beach

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Frequently Asked Questions — Myrtle Beach

Why is Horry County the fastest-growing county in South Carolina and what does that mean for septic?
Horry County has been adding 20,000–30,000 residents annually, driven by in-migration of retirees and remote workers attracted to the Grand Strand's cost of living and climate. The rapid growth has pushed residential development into inland Horry County townships — Loris, Aynor, Conway, Green Sea — where municipal sewer does not reach. DHEC's Myrtle Beach regional office processes among the highest volumes of new residential septic permits in South Carolina, and the pace of approvals can mean 4–8 week wait times during peak construction season.
How do shellfish harvesting areas affect septic permitting near Myrtle Beach?
SC DHEC designates Shellfish Condemnation Areas around tidal waters where shellfish harvesting is restricted due to water quality concerns, including bacterial contamination from septic systems. Properties within or near these areas face additional DHEC review, larger setback requirements from tidal waters and tidal wetlands, and sometimes requirements for enhanced treatment systems. If you are purchasing coastal Horry County property within 200–500 feet of a tidal creek, ask your contractor to verify DHEC shellfish condemnation area mapping before designing a system.
What happened to Myrtle Beach-area septic systems during Hurricane Florence in 2018?
Hurricane Florence (2018) caused record flooding across Horry County, with some areas under 3–5 feet of floodwater for more than a week. Hundreds of septic systems were damaged — tanks floated, drain fields were saturated for extended periods, and floodwater contaminated with sewage entered many homes. DHEC issued emergency guidance and expedited repair permits in the aftermath. The experience underscores the importance of anchoring tanks properly in high water table areas and having systems inspected after any flood event.
Is the Myrtle Beach area growing fast enough to get municipal sewer service soon?
Myrtle Beach Area Water and Sewer Authority (MBAWSA) is actively expanding its service territory as the Grand Strand grows, but the pace of development far outstrips sewer extension capacity. Many inland Horry County communities — particularly in the Loris, Aynor, and Green Sea areas — are unlikely to receive sewer service within the next 10–20 years. If you are purchasing property in these areas, design your septic system for long-term use rather than expecting to connect to sewer soon.
How much does a septic system cost in Horry County?
Conventional gravity systems in compliant Wando sand locations cost $5,500–$9,500 in Horry County. Alternative systems required near shellfish areas, wetlands, or on lots with Paxville or other restricted soils typically run $11,000–$21,000. DHEC permit fees in Horry County are $200–$450 depending on system type. Horry County's competitive contractor market — driven by high construction volume — tends to keep installation prices slightly below the state average for comparable system types.

Other Services in Myrtle Beach

🌿Drain Field Repair🍳Grease Trap Pumping🔍Septic Inspection🏗️Septic System Installation🚽Septic Tank Pumping🔧Septic Repair⚙️Well Pump Repair🔬Well Water Testing💦Well Water Treatment