Building on acreage outside the city, or replacing a well that gave out, starts with a licensed driller and a bit of homework. Oklahoma has statewide construction standards for water wells, and the state keeps public records of wells drilled near you. Both help you get a better well and a fairer quote.
Do I need a permit for a house well?
For an ordinary household well, generally no. OWRB's intent-to-drill authorization is not required for domestic wells used for household purposes, livestock up to the land's grazing capacity, or irrigating less than 3 acres (OWRB). Any other use, such as larger irrigation or commercial supply, requires the landowner to get a groundwater permit before the driller can finish the well. Construction standards apply either way. The state's minimum well construction standards cover every water well, whoever drills it (OAC 785:35-7-1).
Where the well can go
The rules set minimum distances from things that could pollute the well (OAC 785:35-7-1):
| Possible pollution source | Minimum distance to a new well |
|---|---|
| Closed, tight sanitary sewer line | 10 ft |
| Aerobic septic spray (above ground) / aerobic sprinkler head | 25 ft / 50 ft |
| Septic tanks, lateral fields, lagoons, foundations, oil or gas wells, landfills, other sources | 50 ft minimum. Within 50 to 75 ft and level or downhill, a 20 ft surface seal is required, and the rule calls for 75 ft (level) or 100 ft (downhill) |
| Feedlot or confined animal feeding operation lagoon | 300 ft |
Lots of rural OKC homes run aerobic septic systems with sprinkler heads, so mark them before the driller stakes the well. Count your neighbours' septic systems as well as your own. OWRB's owner guide also says to avoid flood-prone spots, keep clear of power lines, and leave room for the rig to work (OWRB).
Dry taps or a pump that won't quit? One call gets you to a licensed pump installer near you. (405) 536-9841
Look up the wells around you
Licensed drillers file a completion report for every new well within 60 days. OWRB's Water Well Search lets you pull those logs by county or by section, township and range (OWRB). Reports near your land show how deep neighbours had to go, where they hit water and roughly how many gallons a minute they got. OWRB also suggests asking adjacent owners about depth, yield and water quality (OWRB). In the Garber-Wellington, water sits in sandstone lenses that pinch out, so a close neighbour's log is worth more than a county average. See the aquifer guide.
Questions to ask a driller
Drawn from OWRB's owner guide:
- Is the firm licensed with OWRB and in good standing? How many wells has it drilled nearby?
- What is the price per foot for standard construction, including all materials and labor? Get the adjusted price in writing for any upgrades.
- Is there a dry-hole charge? If the hole is dry, who plugs it and who pays? The state requires test holes to be plugged within 3 days.
- What guarantee comes with the well?
- Will I get a copy of the completion report and a detailed receipt?
How the well is built
Most wells use a gravel pack around a screen or perforated casing; open-hole construction under surface casing suits consolidated rock. Either way, production casing must be cement-grouted from the surface down at least 10 feet, and a well can never be finished in a salt or marginal water zone (OAC 785:35-7-1). OWRB lists optional upgrades that cost more but can pay off: wider casing, a longer and thicker cement seal, and a factory-made well screen.
Dry taps or a pump that won't quit? One call gets you to a licensed pump installer near you. (405) 536-9841
Old wells on the property
An abandoned, unplugged well is a hazard to kids and animals, and a direct path for contamination into the aquifer. Once the rig has left, plugging an abandoned well is the landowner's responsibility under state rules (OWRB). Ask the driller to quote plugging the old hole while they are out for the new one. Then line up a licensed installer for the pump and pressure tank.
FAQ
How much does it cost to drill a well near Oklahoma City?
Drillers price by the foot, and depth varies a lot across the Garber-Wellington. Get a written per-foot price that includes all materials and labor, plus the dry-hole charge, from more than one licensed driller.
How deep are wells around OKC?
It depends where you are. Pull the OWRB completion reports for your section to see what neighbours hit. USGS describes shallow domestic wells under 300 feet, while Norman's city wells run 600 to 800 feet.
Who has to plug an old well on my land?
Under OWRB rules, once the drilling rig has left, the landowner is responsible for properly plugging an abandoned well.