Frequently asked questions

It depends on location. Some household wells reach water in under 100 feet, while others go several hundred. The best estimate for a property is how deep nearby wells were actually drilled, which is what our Well Lookup shows.

It varies a lot by area, so a statewide average isn't very useful. See median depths for 20 Idaho cities on our Idaho well depth by city page, or look up your exact address for the wells closest to you.

There's no single legal definition. Drillers usually call a well shallow when it's under about 50 to 100 feet. Shallow wells cost less but are more exposed to surface contamination and seasonal water-level drops.

A sand point well is a pipe with a screened tip driven into sandy ground to reach shallow water. In Idaho, wells deeper than 18 feet generally need a drilling permit and must meet construction standards, so check with IDWR and your health district before driving one.

From the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) public Wells database. Every licensed driller files a report there with the well's depth, water level, yield and construction date.

No. Well Depth Finder is an independent Idaho service that reads public IDWR records. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by IDWR.

No. They summarize historical records near your address. Ground conditions change over short distances and over time, and some older records are only approximately located. Only drilling confirms depth and yield.

Yes. A drilling permit is required before construction. For a single-family household well, a licensed driller usually files a start card permit with IDWR. Household wells don't need a separate water right but must meet state construction standards.

Only in a narrow case. Idaho rules require a licensed driller, except that a property owner may build a well on their own land for their own use without power-driven equipment. Powered DIY drilling kits don't qualify.

Most Idaho household wells cost about $11,200 to $18,600 at 200 feet, including casing and the pump system. Drilling usually runs $28 to $65 per foot, plus about $6 to $11 per foot for PVC casing and roughly $4,000 for the pump system. Basalt, steel casing and long trenches cost more. Your lookup results include a budget planner set to your area's typical depth.

It's how far below the ground water settles after a well is drilled and left alone. A 180-foot well with a static water level of 22 feet has water standing 22 feet below the surface.

Many households get by on roughly 5 to 10 gallons per minute, with a pressure tank covering short peaks. Irrigation or a larger household needs more.

Fill out the quote form once. We send your request to one licensed driller who works your county, and only that driller. We tell you who it is right away, and they contact you directly, usually within one business day. It's free and there's no obligation.

No. If you request a quote, your details go to one licensed driller who serves your county, and no one else. You'll get no calls from strangers. Searching is anonymous. See our Privacy Policy.

A one-page PDF with your area's typical depth range, depth to water, yield, nearest recorded wells and a before-you-drill checklist.

The free report covers the basics for a homeowner planning a well. The $39 Premium Property Well Report is built for land buyers, sellers and agents: it adds a Water Outlook rating, whether nearby wells produce enough water for a home, water quality results, groundwater restrictions, septic suitability from the USDA soil survey, the FEMA flood zone, an estimated drilling cost and questions to ask the seller. It works for vacant land by map pin. See Reports for a side-by-side comparison.

Yes. Prepaid packs of 10 reports for $199 or 25 for $399, with no expiry. You get a pack code by email, and anyone on your team can use it. See For Agents.