If you're building on rural Utah land or need water for livestock, drilling a well is often the most practical (and sometimes only) option. Here's what well drilling actually costs in Utah in 2026, broken down by the factors that drive the price.
Utah Well Drilling Cost by Depth
| Depth range | Cost per foot | Total estimate | Common in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100–200 ft | $25–$45 | $5,000–$12,000 | Cache Valley, parts of Utah County |
| 200–400 ft | $30–$50 | $10,000–$22,000 | Iron County, Sanpete, Millard |
| 400–600 ft | $35–$55 | $18,000–$35,000 | Washington County, Kane County |
| 600+ ft | $40–$65 | $28,000–$45,000+ | Deep basalt areas, some Beaver County |
These ranges include drilling, casing, screen, and gravel pack. They do not include the pump system, pressure tank, or trenching to the house — those are typically separate line items.
What's Included in the Drilling Price
- Mobilization — getting the drill rig to your property
- Drilling — the per-foot cost for actual drilling through whatever geology is there
- Casing — steel or PVC pipe that lines the borehole and keeps it from collapsing
- Screen — the perforated section at the bottom that lets water in and keeps sand out
- Gravel pack — gravel placed around the screen to filter fine sediment
- Well development — pumping and surging the well to clear drilling mud and maximize flow
- Well log — the state-required completion report filed with the Division of Water Rights
What's Extra
- Pump and pressure system: $2,500–$6,000 depending on depth, flow rate, and whether you need a booster
- Trenching to the house: $10–$25 per linear foot for the water line from well to home
- Water testing: $50–$300 depending on what's tested (bacteria, minerals, metals)
- Permitting: ~$75 for the state well drilling permit (start card)
- Water treatment: if testing reveals iron, hardness, or other issues — varies widely
What Affects Cost the Most
Geology
Drilling through sandstone or alluvial gravel is straightforward. Drilling through basalt or granite is slower, harder on bits, and costs more per foot. Southern Utah has both — the same county can have easy 200-foot wells on one side and difficult 500-foot wells on the other.
Depth to water
This is the biggest variable and the one hardest to predict before drilling. We use well logs from neighboring properties, geological surveys, and our experience in the area to estimate depth — but the drill confirms it. An affordable well at 200 feet becomes expensive at 500.
Access
A drill rig needs road access to your well site. Steep, narrow, or unimproved access may require site prep before the rig can get in. Remote properties in Brian Head, Duck Creek, or Beaver County mountain areas sometimes need access work.
Affordable Well Drilling in Utah
Langford Drilling serves Iron County, Washington County, Beaver County, Garfield County, Kane County, and communities across southern and central Utah — Cedar City, St. George, Brian Head, Panguitch, Beaver, Kanab, and everywhere in between. We provide honest estimates based on local geology and neighboring well data, not guesses.
Call (435) 590-5425 or request a free estimate.