Water Well FAQ for Abilene-Area Property Owners

It depends heavily on depth, geology, casing, and the pump system you need. As a typical estimate, drilling is often priced roughly $25–$65 per foot, and a complete residential well with pump, pressure tank and hookup commonly lands somewhere around $12,000–$30,000+. Deep wells, difficult ground or high-capacity irrigation wells can cost more. These are general ranges, not quotes. Only a local driller who has seen your property can give you a real price.

As a typical estimate, small repairs such as a pressure switch or control box part may run a few hundred dollars, while replacing a submersible pump and motor often runs roughly $1,500–$5,000 depending on depth, pump size and wiring. Ask for an itemized quote.

There's no single answer. Depth depends on where you are and which water-bearing formation a driller targets, and it can vary noticeably between nearby properties. The best way to get a realistic idea is to look up existing well reports near your address using the Texas Water Development Board's free Groundwater Data Viewer (wells drilled since 2003) or the TCEQ Water Well Report Viewer (older wells), then ask local drillers what they're seeing in your area.

Taylor County is within the Taylor County Groundwater Conservation District. Under the district's rules, new wells are subject to registration and a well report deposit, and new wells that are not exempt must get an operating permit before drilling. Under district rules, wells used solely for domestic purposes, and qualifying livestock wells on more than 10 acres that can't produce more than 25,000 gallons per day, are exempt from permitting (but not from registration and construction rules). Rules change, so confirm with the district or your driller before drilling. Properties in neighboring counties may fall under different rules or no district at all.

In Texas, drilling a water well and installing a well pump both require a license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Ask any contractor for their license number and verify it using TDLR's online license search before you sign anything.

No. We're a free referral service. We connect Abilene-area property owners with local, licensed well drillers and pump installers. We don't drill wells, repair pumps or test water ourselves, and any work is agreed directly between you and the provider you choose.

No. Requesting a quote through this site is free and there's no obligation to hire anyone.

The drilling itself often takes a day to a few days once a rig is on site, depending on depth and ground conditions. The bigger variable is scheduling: drillers in busy seasons or during droughts can be booked out for weeks, and district registration or permits add lead time. Reach out early if you're planning a build.

A common recommendation for private wells is to test for bacteria (total coliform and E. coli) at least once a year, and more often after repairs, flooding, or any change in taste, color or odor. Nitrate and general mineral tests are also worth doing periodically.