Cost of Municipal and Industrial Wells in Illinois, 1964-1966

This study of the cost of water wells and pumps is based on information obtained for 143 municipal and industrial water-supply wells drilled in Illinois during 1964, 1965, and 1966. Regression analyses using the method of least squares show that the cost of wells is directly related to depth and the cost of pumps is directly related to capacity. A series of cost-depth relationships which plot as straight lines on log-log graph paper are developed for wells tapping sand and gravel aquifers; shallow sandstone, limestone, or dolomite aquifers; and deep sandstone aquifers. Similar graphs relating pump cost to capacity are also presented for various operating heads. Use of the materials presented in this circular should provide reasonable estimates of the initial investments involved in constructing and equipping water wells of given sizes and types in the primary aquifers of the state. Sample cost estimates have been given for each type of well and pump discussed in the report. These data are intended to establish orders of magnitude for comparison purposes and do not substitute for more detailed engineering estimates.