What to Know Before Drilling a Water Well in Utah or Arizona
If you're building a home on rural property, developing land, adding agricultural water, or purchasing property outside a municipal water system, drilling a private water well may be one of the most important parts of your project.
It can also raise a lot of questions.
How deep will the well need to be? How much water will it produce? What does drilling cost? Where should the well be located? What permits are required? And how do you know whether there is water beneath your property at all?
At Cluff Brothers Drilling, we drill water wells throughout Southern Utah and Arizona, and we help property owners understand the process before the drill rig ever arrives.
Here are the most important things to know when you're considering a new water well.
1. Every Property Is Different
One of the first things to understand about well drilling is that there is no universal depth or price.
Two properties only a few miles apart can have very different underground conditions.
The final depth of a well can be influenced by:
Local geology
Groundwater levels
Elevation
Nearby well depths
Rock formations
Historical water production in the area
The amount of water needed from the finished well
That is why a reliable well-drilling estimate involves more than simply choosing a depth from a chart.
One of the best starting points is researching surrounding wells and understanding the geology of the area. Existing well records can provide valuable information about depths, formations, static water levels, and production from nearby properties.
They don't guarantee what will happen on your property, but they can help establish realistic expectations.
2. How Deep Does a Water Well Need to Be?
This is probably the most common question we receive.
Unfortunately, the correct answer is:
It depends on the property.
A successful water well needs to reach a groundwater source capable of producing enough water for its intended use.
Some areas may encounter usable groundwater relatively shallow. Other properties may require drilling hundreds of feet—or considerably deeper—before reaching the desired water-bearing formation.
The goal isn't simply to reach water.
The goal is to build a well capable of providing reliable, usable water for the property.
That distinction matters.
A small amount of groundwater encountered while drilling doesn't necessarily mean the well is finished. Depending on the property's needs, additional drilling may be recommended to improve production or provide additional available water within the well.
3. How Much Does It Cost to Drill a Water Well?
The cost of a new water well depends heavily on the conditions encountered during drilling.
Important factors include:
Total Well Depth
Deeper wells require more drilling time, casing, materials, labor, and equipment.
Geology
Drilling through sand, clay, fractured rock, consolidated formations, or hard rock can require very different drilling methods and amounts of time.
Casing Requirements
The amount and type of casing needed will affect the finished cost.
Well Diameter
Different applications may require different well designs and diameters.
Site Accessibility
A drill rig and support equipment need sufficient access to the drilling location. Steep grades, narrow roads, soft ground, overhead obstacles, or undeveloped sites can complicate mobilization.
Well Development and Additional Work
Once drilling is complete, a well may require development, testing, pump installation, or other work before it becomes a finished water system.
Because there are so many variables, the most useful way to determine the potential cost is to evaluate the specific property rather than rely on a generic online price-per-foot number.
If you're considering drilling a well, contact Cluff Brothers Drilling with the property location. We can help you determine the next steps and provide a much more realistic estimate for your project.
4. Do You Need a Permit to Drill a Well?
Well drilling is regulated at the state level, and requirements differ between Utah and Arizona.
Utah Water Wells
Water wells regulated by the State of Utah generally must be constructed by a currently licensed Utah Water Well Driller.
Water rights and authorization to use groundwater also need to be addressed before beginning a project. The exact process depends on the property and proposed use of the water.
Arizona Water Wells
Arizona regulates groundwater wells through the Arizona Department of Water Resources.
Before drilling a new well—or deepening or modifying an existing well—a Notice of Intent to Drill is generally required. The drilling must also be completed by a properly licensed well-drilling contractor.
Arizona requirements can vary based on the type of well, parcel size, location, water use, and whether the property is within certain groundwater management areas.
Permitting can sound intimidating, but it is a normal part of the process. Identifying the requirements early helps prevent unnecessary delays once you're ready to drill.
5. Where Should You Put the Well?
The best drilling location isn't always simply the most convenient location on the property.
Several factors should be considered.
These can include:
Required setbacks
Septic systems and drain fields
Property boundaries
Buildings
Roads and future development
Electrical service
Underground utilities
Terrain
Access for drilling equipment
Nearby well information
You should also think beyond the drilling day.
A well will need to remain accessible for future service, maintenance, pump work, rehabilitation, or repairs.
Choosing the right location before construction begins can save significant trouble later.
6. Can You Guarantee That You'll Hit Water?
No reputable water-well driller should promise that every location will produce a specific amount of water before drilling.
Groundwater is underground, and even with excellent geological information and nearby well records, drilling always contains some uncertainty.
What an experienced drilling company can do is gather the available information, evaluate conditions, use proven drilling methods, and help you make informed decisions as the well progresses.
Nearby well logs are particularly valuable.
If several neighboring properties have productive wells with similar depths and formations, that information can help create a much clearer picture of what may exist underneath your property.
7. How Much Water Does a Home Actually Need?
Well production is commonly measured in gallons per minute, or GPM.
But a property's water requirements depend heavily on how the water will be used.
A well serving a single residence has different demands than one supplying:
Multiple homes
Livestock
Irrigation
Agricultural operations
Commercial facilities
Large landscaped areas
Well production is only one part of the system.
Storage tanks and properly designed pumping systems can sometimes help accommodate periods of higher water demand, depending on the well and application.
The important question isn't simply:
"Does the well make water?"
It is:
"Can this well and water system reliably support what I intend to do with the property?"
8. What Happens When the Drill Rig Arrives?
Although every project is different, a typical new-well project follows a general sequence.
Site Preparation
The drilling location and equipment access are confirmed.
Mobilization
The drill rig and necessary support equipment are transported to the property and positioned.
Drilling
The borehole is advanced through the underground formations while the drilling crew monitors the material being encountered and signs of groundwater.
Casing and Well Construction
The well is constructed and cased according to the conditions encountered and applicable requirements.
Development
Once the well reaches its final depth, it may be developed to remove drilling material and improve movement of water into the well.
Production Evaluation
Water production and well conditions can then be evaluated.
Pump and Water-System Installation
The appropriate pump and supporting equipment can be selected based on well depth, water level, production, and the property's requirements.
At that point, an empty piece of ground has become a functioning water source for the property.
9. What If You Already Have a Well?
Not every water problem requires drilling an entirely new well.
Existing wells may sometimes benefit from:
Well deepening
Well rehabilitation
Well cleaning
Well development
Pump replacement
Pump repair
Well inspections
Troubleshooting reduced production
Repairs to existing well systems
If an older well has stopped producing the amount of water it once did, the first step should be determining why.
The well itself, groundwater level, pump, electrical system, pressure system, or other components could potentially be responsible.
Diagnosing the problem before replacing the entire well can save a property owner considerable time and money.
Choosing a Water Well Drilling Company
A water well is a long-term investment in your property.
For rural homes in particular, it may become one of the most important pieces of infrastructure you own.
When choosing a drilling contractor, don't base the decision exclusively on the lowest estimated price.
Consider:
Proper licensing
Experience with the local geology
Drilling equipment and capabilities
Communication
Knowledge of applicable regulations
Ability to service the finished well
Transparency about costs and uncertainty
Reputation
Availability and mobilization capabilities
A good drilling contractor should be willing to explain the process and help you understand what is happening underground as the project progresses.
Planning a Water Well in Utah or Arizona?
Cluff Brothers Drilling provides professional water well drilling and existing-well services throughout Southern Utah and Arizona.
Whether you're preparing to build a home, developing rural land, planning an agricultural project, or trying to solve a problem with an existing well, the best place to start is with the property itself.
Send us the property location and a brief description of what you need the water for, and we'll help you determine the next step.
Ready to Talk About Your Well?
Contact Cluff Brothers Drilling today to discuss your property and request a drilling estimate.
Serving property owners throughout Southern Utah and Arizona.