A new well is a big investment, and most of the cost comes from how deep the driller has to go and what casing the well needs. Here's what to expect around Wichita Falls.
Types of wells
- Household wells supply a home that is not on a public water system. They need adequate yield, a sanitary seal and proper setbacks from septic systems.
- Irrigation wells water lawns, gardens and trees. Inside Wichita Falls, the city's checklist says a well can't tie into an irrigation system that is also connected to city water, so plan for a separate system.
- Livestock wells feed stock tanks and troughs on ranch land in Wichita, Archer and Clay counties, often with a solar pump.
Depth and water quality
Texas wells average around 300 feet, but depth near Wichita Falls varies a lot from one property to the next, and some local groundwater is salty or high in dissolved solids. Ask your driller about nearby well logs. The Texas Water Development Board publishes well records that contractors use to estimate depth and quality.
Cost
National guides list $3,000 to $9,000 for a typical well, and Texas drilling runs roughly $28 to $62 per foot. Steel casing costs more than PVC. A complete system with pump, pressure tank and plumbing commonly lands between $6,000 and $30,000 in Texas. These are estimates only; get an on-site quote.
Licensing and permits
In Texas, water wells are drilled by drillers licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Ask to see the license, and ask about local groundwater district rules, city permits and the electrical permit for the pump.
Timeline
Drilling itself often takes one to a few days. Scheduling, permits, pump installation and plumbing add time. Ask the contractor for a written start date.