Straightforward answers to the questions Southern Utah property owners ask most — about drilling, permits, water quality, pumps, and what to do in an emergency.
Don't see your question here? Send it to us directly or call (435) 800-WELL — we're happy to talk through your specific situation. For permit-specific questions, our Utah Well Permit Guide covers the full process step by step.
Well drilling costs in Southern Utah typically run $35–60 per foot for drilling alone, with total project costs — including casing, pump, pressure tank, electrical, and permitting — commonly ranging from $20,000 to $60,000 or more.
Depth is the biggest variable. A 300-foot well in alluvial Washington County material will cost significantly less than a 700-foot well through volcanic rock near Cedar City. Hard rock formations also cost more per foot to penetrate than softer sedimentary or alluvial zones. We provide itemized written estimates so you know exactly what each component costs — contact us for a no-obligation quote specific to your property location and county.
Well depths vary considerably across Southern Utah's five-county service area:
Before quoting, we review neighboring well logs from Utah's Groundwater Database (GWDB) to give you a realistic depth estimate. We won't quote based on guesswork.
It depends on which permit path applies to your situation:
If you're planning a new home with a well, start the permit process before you need the well — the lead time is the most common source of project delays. We assist our clients through the application process as part of our service.
Yes, for most uses. Utah's prior appropriation water law requires an approved water right before drilling a new well. The single main exception is the domestic exemption — which allows a self-filed exemption for household use not exceeding 0.5 acre-feet per year from a single residential well.
The domestic exemption covers basic household drinking, cooking, sanitation, and limited yard use for a single-family primary residence. Any agricultural use, livestock watering beyond very small quantities, irrigation, or commercial use requires a full water right application first. See our Well Permit Guide for details on both pathways.
A Start Card — officially called a "Notice to Start Well Construction" — is issued by the Utah Division of Water Rights (UDWR) and authorizes drilling to legally begin. No drilling can commence in Utah without a valid Start Card on file. Start Cards are valid for two years from the date of issue.
Your licensed well driller submits the Start Card application through the UDWR's online system after your water right application is approved or your domestic exemption is properly filed. We handle this step for all of our clients as part of the pre-drilling process — you don't need to navigate the state portal on your own.
Yes — at a minimum, annually. The EPA recommends testing private well water each year for bacteria (total coliform and E. coli) and nitrates, and periodically for contaminants of local concern.
Unlike city water, private wells are not regulated or routinely tested by any government agency. What's in your water is entirely your responsibility to know. Water quality can also change over time — aquifer conditions shift, nearby land use changes, and aging well components can all affect what comes out of your tap. If you've never tested your well or haven't tested in the past year, schedule one.
Arsenic occurs naturally in Southern Utah's geology, derived from volcanic rock and mineral deposits in the region's aquifer-bearing formations. The Navajo Sandstone — a major aquifer source across much of Washington and Kane counties — is associated with naturally elevated arsenic in some zones.
Arsenic has been detected above the EPA maximum contaminant level (10 parts per billion) in certain wells in Washington and Kane counties, though not uniformly across either county. Arsenic has no taste, odor, or visible appearance — testing is the only way to know your levels. If results show elevated arsenic, effective treatment options exist: point-of-use reverse osmosis handles typical residential needs well, and whole-house anion exchange systems address higher concentrations.
A basic annual panel for Southern Utah wells should include:
For a more complete picture, a full baseline panel also includes TDS (total dissolved solids), iron, manganese, and sulfate. We can coordinate sample collection and submission to a Utah-certified laboratory as part of our well completion or annual maintenance service.
Generally yes — with proper testing and treatment where needed. The vast majority of Southern Utah wells produce water that is safe to drink and meets or exceeds EPA drinking water standards for all tested parameters.
The key is testing. Without regular testing, you simply don't know what's in your water. Bacteria, arsenic, and nitrates are the primary concerns in this region — all are undetectable by sight, smell, or taste at harmful concentrations. A $100–200 annual test is a small investment for confidence in what your family is drinking. If any parameters come back elevated, targeted treatment solutions are available and often straightforward to install.
A quality submersible pump with proper installation and regular maintenance typically lasts 10–15 years. Several factors specific to Southern Utah can shorten that lifespan:
If your pump is approaching 10 years old, an annual amp-draw test can tell you how it's holding up before it fails without warning. A pump drawing significantly above its rated amperage is showing signs of wear and can be planned for replacement rather than repaired on an emergency basis.
A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) controller modulates the pump motor speed in real time to match your actual water demand — instead of cycling the pump fully on and off with a pressure switch. The result is constant, steady pressure at every tap regardless of whether one faucet or ten are running.
VFD systems offer meaningful advantages over conventional pressure tank setups: 30–50% energy savings, significantly longer pump life (the motor ramps up and down smoothly rather than taking a full-voltage hard start hundreds of times per day), quieter operation, and no pressure spikes. We install VFD controllers on new wells and as retrofits on existing pump systems. See our Technology page for full details.
The pattern of the pressure problem is the most useful diagnostic clue:
Start by checking your pressure gauge at the pressure tank — it should read 40–60 PSI when the pump isn't running. A reading of 0 or an unusual fluctuation points toward the tank or pressure switch. Call us if you're unsure — we can often diagnose remotely over the phone before dispatching.
Yes, unusual sounds from your pump system are worth investigating promptly. Common sounds and what they usually indicate:
A submersible pump operating normally in a deep well is nearly silent at the surface — you may hear slight electrical hum from the control box and water movement, but nothing more. Any new or unusual noise that wasn't there before warrants a call.
Work through this quick checklist before calling:
If none of these reveals the cause, call our 24/7 line at (435) 800-WELL. We'll walk you through a few more diagnostic questions over the phone to determine whether to dispatch immediately or schedule a same-day visit.
Our target response time for genuine emergencies is within 2 hours anywhere in Washington and Iron counties. For more remote locations in Kane, Garfield, and Beaver counties, response may take somewhat longer, but we'll give you an honest ETA when you call — not a vague "as soon as possible."
When you call our emergency line, you reach a real technician who can triage over the phone. We'll walk you through any immediate steps you can take while we're en route — like verifying breaker status, filling emergency water containers, or shutting off irrigation to preserve pressure. We answer 24/7, 365 days a year.
We serve five counties across Southern Utah:
See our Service Areas page for a full coverage map and county-specific information.
Yes — rural and remote property service is a core part of what we do. Many of our customers are on parcels well outside city limits, down unpaved roads, or on properties that other well contractors decline to serve due to access or distance.
Southern Utah's rural land is precisely where private wells are most critical — there is no municipal alternative. We're equipped for remote job sites, familiar with the access challenges across our service counties, and willing to go where the work is. If you're concerned about whether your property is in our service area, call us and describe the location — we'll give you a straight answer.
Well systems are specific to your property, geology, and situation. If your question isn't here, call us or send a message — we'll give you a straight answer.