Idaho Well Guide
Idaho well guide: depth, shallow wells, permits and cost
Short, plain answers to the questions homeowners ask before they call a driller, from average well depth to sand point wells and drilling kits.
How deep are wells in Idaho?
It depends on where you are. Some household wells reach water in under 100 feet, while others go several hundred. The best estimate for your property is how deep your neighbors actually drilled.
Idaho sits on many different aquifers, from sand and gravel layers in river valleys to thick basalt in the Snake River Plain and the north. Depth can change a lot from one neighborhood to the next.
Every well driller in Idaho files a report with the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR). Those reports record total depth, where water was found and how much the well produced. Our well lookup summarizes the reports near any address.
What is the average well depth in Idaho?
There's no useful single statewide average, because depth varies so much by area. Median depths for recorded wells near 20 Idaho cities are on our Idaho well depth by city page, updated from IDWR records.
A city average is a starting point. For your property, look up your exact address: the closest wells are a better guide than a citywide number.
How deep is a shallow well?
There's no single legal definition. Drillers usually call a well shallow when it's under about 50 to 100 feet deep; on our city pages we count wells under 100 feet.
Shallow wells cost less to drill, but they draw from water closer to the surface. That water is more exposed to septic systems, fertilizer and runoff, and it can drop in dry years.
If water stands within about 25 feet of the surface, a shallow-well (jet) pump at ground level can lift it. Deeper water needs a submersible pump down in the well. Test the water from any new well before drinking it.
What is a sand point well?
A sand point (or driven) well is a pipe with a screened, pointed tip that's driven into sandy or gravelly ground until it reaches shallow water. It only works where the soil is loose and the water is close to the surface.
Sand points are usually used for lawn and garden water rather than drinking water, because shallow water is the most exposed to contamination. They can't get through clay, hardpan or rock.
In Idaho, check before you drive one. IDWR's well rules cover water wells and other openings deeper than 18 feet, which generally means a drilling permit and construction standards apply. An owner may build a well on their own land without power equipment, but only within those rules. Call your IDWR regional office and your health district first.
Do I need a permit to drill a well in Idaho?
Yes. A drilling permit is required before any well is built. For a single-family household well, your licensed driller usually files a "start card" permit with IDWR.
Household (domestic) wells are exempt from the separate water right permit that larger uses need, but they still must meet state well construction standards, including a sealed surface casing.
Your district health department may have setback rules from septic systems, and some subdivisions or cities have their own requirements. Ask before you schedule drilling.
Can I drill my own well in Idaho?
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.
Most DIY drilling kits sold online use a gas or electric power head, so they don't qualify. Hand methods rarely reach the depths most Idaho homes need, and shallow water is more exposed to septic systems and runoff.
Drilling without a license can lead to enforcement against both the person drilling and the property owner.
Are well drilling kits legal in Idaho?
Not for most homeowners. Idaho requires a licensed driller for any well drilled with power-driven equipment, and most well drilling kits use a gas or electric power head.
The one exception is a well an owner builds on their own land, for their own use, without power-driven equipment. Even then, the well still needs a permit and must meet state construction standards, including a sealed casing to protect the aquifer.
Kits also rarely reach the 100 to 300 feet common in much of Idaho. Compare the cost of a kit plus permits and a pump against a licensed driller's quote before you buy.
How much does a well cost in Idaho?
Most Idaho household wells cost about $9,400 to $14,950 at 150 feet, $11,200 to $18,600 at 200 feet, and $18,000 to $28,000 or more for a 350-foot or hard-rock well, including casing and the pump system.
| Line item | Typical Idaho price |
|---|---|
| Drilling (borehole) | $28–65 per foot |
| PVC casing (standard 4–6 in.) | $6–11 per foot |
| Steel casing (heavy duty) | $30–130 per foot |
| Trenching and water line to the house | $50–150 per foot |
| Rig move to a remote site | $500–2,500 flat |
What makes the price per foot jump? Geology first: soft clay and river gravel drill quickly, while the basalt common across southern and eastern Idaho needs hammer bits and costs more per foot. Steel casing costs far more than PVC. And a remote site adds a flat fee to move a 50,000-pound rig before drilling starts.
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: drilling, casing, the well seal, the pump, pressure tank, wiring to the house, permits and water testing. Use the budget planner on your well lookup results with your area's typical depth as a starting point, then get real quotes.
What does static water level mean?
It's how far below the ground the water settles after a well is drilled and left alone.
A well might be 180 feet deep with a static water level of 22 feet, meaning water rose to 22 feet below the surface. That usually means the water-bearing layer is under some pressure. A shallower water level means less lift for your pump.
How many gallons per minute does a house need?
Many households get by on roughly 5 to 10 gallons per minute, with a pressure tank covering short peaks.
Irrigation, livestock or a larger household needs more. Ask your driller what yield nearby wells produce and how they'd size the pump and tank for your use.
Can I drill a well if I'm on city water?
Sometimes, but check with your city first. Many Idaho cities limit new household wells where city water is already available at the street.
If your goal is a cheaper lawn and garden supply, also ask whether pressurized irrigation is available from your city or irrigation district. It is often far cheaper than drilling.
How do I choose a well driller?
Hire a driller licensed by IDWR, get two or three written quotes, and ask each one what depth they expect on your street.
- Confirm the license with IDWR and ask for proof of insurance.
- Ask how they price: per foot, flat, and what happens if they need to go deeper.
- Ask who files the permit and the well driller's report (they should).
- Ask about water testing after the well is finished.
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