Albany Well Services

Agricultural wells in California commonly run from about $30,000 to $150,000 or more, depending on depth, diameter, and pump capacity. Per-foot drilling often falls between $35 and $75, and some areas require 600 to 1,000 feet or more to reach a productive aquifer. A site evaluation gives the most accurate figure.

A well-built agricultural well can last 30 to 50 years, though output often declines over time and may need rehabilitation every 15 to 25 years. Lifespan depends on construction, water chemistry, aquifer conditions, and maintenance. Declining flow or sand in the water is usually the first sign attention is needed.

Well rehabilitation restores the flow of a well that has lost capacity from mineral scale, bacteria, or sediment plugging the screen. Methods include chemical treatment, mechanical brushing and surging, and re-developing the screen with air or water jetting. It is often far cheaper than drilling a replacement well.

A well flow or yield test measures how much water a well produces and how its water level responds to pumping over time. It reveals the sustainable pumping rate, the drawdown, and whether output is declining. The results guide pump sizing and show whether a well needs rehabilitation.