North Dakota Water Well
Drilling Cost
The average residential well in North Dakota is 175 feet deep and costs $7,350 in 2026. Drilling rates range from $28 to $60 per foot, with total project costs varying based on depth, geology, and pump system.
Avg. Well Depth
175 ft
Cost / Foot
$28–$60
Total Project
$7,350
vs. National
Near average
North Dakota Well Drilling Cost by Depth
| Well Depth | Drilling Only | Complete System | Est. Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 ft | $2,800–$6,000 | $7,600–$10,800 | $9,000 |
| 150 ft | $4,200–$9,000 | $9,400–$14,200 | $11,500 |
| 200 ft | $5,600–$12,000 | $11,200–$17,600 | $14,000 |
| 300 ft | $8,400–$18,000 | $14,800–$24,400 | $19,000 |
| 400 ft | $11,200–$24,000 | $18,400–$31,200 | $24,000 |
| 500 ft | $14,000–$30,000 | $22,000–$38,000 | $29,000 |
*Drilling only = drilling labor per foot. Complete system includes casing, pump, pressure tank, electrical, and permits. Costs are North Dakota estimates for 2026.
North Dakota Well System Component Costs
| Service | Low | High | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Well Casing — PVC (175 ft) | $1,050 | $1,925 | $1,400 |
| Well Casing — Steel (175 ft) | $5,250 | $22,750 | $11,375 |
| Submersible Pump | $300 | $2,000 | $1,000 |
| Pressure Tank | $500 | $2,000 | $1,100 |
| Electrical Hookup | $1,000 | $3,000 | $1,800 |
| Permits | $50 | $200 | Varies |
| Water Quality Testing | $50 | $500 | $200 |
*Component costs based on North Dakota average well depth of 175 ft. Steel casing is typically required for bedrock wells; PVC is used in unconsolidated formations.
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Itemized Cost Estimate
This estimate is 95% above the North Dakota average of $7,350
Estimates are approximate. Actual costs depend on site conditions and contractor pricing.
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North Dakota Geology & Aquifers
North Dakota's western Williston Basin has thick layers of Cretaceous and Tertiary sedimentary rock including the Fox Hills, Hell Creek, and Fort Union formations. Eastern North Dakota has glacial drift deposits — sand, gravel, and lake sediments from Glacial Lake Agassiz — that provide productive shallow aquifers.
Understanding your local geology is important because rock type directly affects drilling cost. Hard crystalline rock (granite, gneiss) costs more to penetrate than soft sedimentary formations (sandstone, limestone) or unconsolidated deposits (sand, gravel). Your well driller can estimate costs based on nearby well logs.
Primary Aquifer
Glacial Drift Aquifers / Fox Hills-Hell Creek Aquifer / Dakota Aquifer
Water table depth: 20-80 feet in eastern glacial deposits; 100-400 feet in western bedrock formations
Best Drilling Season
May through October; extreme cold (-30°F) and 5-6 foot frost depths make winter drilling extremely difficult
Population on well water: About 15% of North Dakota households use private wells, with higher rates in rural farming communities across the western oil patch and central grain belt
Why Well Depth Varies in North Dakota
Wells in North Dakota range from 40 to 500 feet deep. The wide range is driven by regional differences in geology, water table depth, and aquifer type. A well in one part of the state may cost significantly more or less than another area just 50 miles away.
40 ft
Shallowest typical wells
Usually in areas with high water tables, sandy soils, or alluvial aquifers near rivers
175 ft
State average depth
Typical residential well for most North Dakota locations
500 ft
Deepest typical wells
Usually in arid areas, mountain terrain, or where shallow aquifers are depleted
North Dakota Well Drilling Permits & Regulations
North Dakota requires well drillers to be licensed by the North Dakota State Water Commission and Board of Water Well Contractors. Drillers must pass competency examinations.
Permit Authority
- Authority
- North Dakota State Water Commission; all water wells must be permitted and registered
- Permit Cost
- $50-$200
Water Rights
- Doctrine
- Prior Appropriation; domestic wells for household use and livestock are generally exempt from permitting but must be registered
Well Water Quality in North Dakota
Well water quality in North Dakota varies by location and aquifer type. Testing your water at least annually is recommended, and a comprehensive test should be done before using a new well.
Common Water Quality Issues
iron
Treatment: iron filter or oxidation system
manganese
Treatment: oxidation filter or greensand system
sodium
Treatment: appropriate treatment system
sulfate
Treatment: appropriate treatment system
hardness
Treatment: water softener
total dissolved solids
Treatment: reverse osmosis system
arsenic in some glacial aquifers
Treatment: reverse osmosis or adsorption media filter
Testing Recommendations
- Before first use: Full panel including bacteria, nitrates, pH, and state-specific contaminants ($150–$500)
- Annually: Bacteria (coliform) and nitrate testing at minimum ($50–$100)
- After flooding or repairs: Bacteria test to confirm well integrity ($25–$50)
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Well Drilling Costs by City in North Dakota
Well drilling costs vary by location within North Dakota. Select a city for local pricing details.
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North Dakota Well Drilling FAQ
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