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Well Drilling in Cheyenne, WY

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

About Well Drilling in Cheyenne

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 Cheyenne Homeowners Should Know

Local Soil Conditions: Featherlegs loam and Altvan loam on the High Plains surface — Aridic Argiustolls and Typic Haplustalfs with moderate percolation; Nunn clay loam in lower positions with slower drainage; Larim gravelly sandy loam on upland ridges with excellent percolation; Bentonite-bearing Pierre Shale formations create localized expansive clay hazards

Water Table: 20 to 50 feet in most areas; deeper in the High Plains; shallower near Crow Creek and Dry Creek drainages

Climate Impact: Semi-arid steppe (BSk) at 6,062 feet elevation. One of the windiest cities in the U.S., with average wind speeds of 12-14 mph. Cold winters with frequent blizzards; mild summers. Annual precipitation 15 inches. High elevation accelerates UV degradation of exposed plastic components.

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 Cheyenne

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Frequently Asked Questions — Cheyenne

What parts of the Cheyenne area are on septic systems?
Cheyenne city limits are largely served by municipal sewer. Rural residential areas throughout Laramie County — including ranch lots along I-25, Fox Farm, Carpenter, and Burns communities — are on private septic systems. Many acreage developments within 10 miles of the city also use septic. Contact Laramie County Planning to verify sewer availability for any specific address.
What is Bentonite and why does it matter for septic systems in Cheyenne?
Bentonite is a highly expansive clay mineral derived from weathered volcanic ash, found in Wyoming's Pierre Shale formations. When wet, Bentonite swells dramatically — sometimes to 15 times its dry volume. This creates structural damage to rigid septic tanks and pipe connections, and essentially zero percolation for leach fields. If a soil evaluation finds Bentonite-bearing materials, an engineered alternative system (mound, drip irrigation) must be designed to avoid the restrictive zone.
How does Cheyenne's wind affect septic systems?
Cheyenne's persistent high winds (averaging 12-14 mph) benefit evapotranspiration-based systems by increasing surface moisture loss, but they also accelerate UV degradation of exposed plastic components like risers and distribution boxes. All above-grade components should be UV-resistant. Wind-driven soil erosion can also expose leach field piping if proper revegetation is not established after installation.
Are there septic restrictions near Cheyenne's Granite Reservoir?
Granite Reservoir is a primary drinking water source for Cheyenne. WDEQ and Laramie County require enhanced setbacks and advanced treatment for any septic systems within the reservoir's contributing watershed. New systems are rarely approved in this area, and existing systems near the reservoir face increasing pressure to upgrade or connect to an extended sewer line.
What does a WDEQ Chapter 25 site evaluation involve?
A Wyoming Chapter 25 site evaluation includes a detailed soil profile description to a minimum depth of 5 feet using a backhoe pit, a percolation test in the design leach field area, measurement of seasonal high water table, and documentation of any restrictive layers. The evaluation must be performed by a WDEQ Registered Site Evaluator or Professional Engineer. Results determine the system type, size, and setback requirements.

Other Services in Cheyenne

🌿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

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