Serving Farms & Ranches in Stanislaus & Merced County
Agricultural & Irrigation Well Services
High-capacity wells and pump systems for farms, ranches, and orchards across the Central Valley. We connect you with a licensed local contractor experienced in ag-scale drilling and irrigation demand.
Call (209) 370-2449Agricultural Wells vs. Domestic Wells
Ag and irrigation wells aren't just bigger versions of a household well — they're designed around a completely different flow requirement. Where a domestic well needs enough water for a household's daily use, an irrigation well has to sustain hundreds of gallons per minute across an entire growing season. That typically means larger-diameter casing, deeper development into more productive water-bearing zones, and a higher-horsepower submersible pump sized to your acreage and crop.
Given how central agriculture is to Stanislaus and Merced County's economy, most local well contractors work on both residential and ag-scale systems regularly — but it's worth confirming ag well experience specifically, since the drilling and pump-sizing approach differs from a household job.
Groundwater Rules for Ag Wells in This Area
Most of our service area sits within the Turlock Groundwater Subbasin, a roughly 348,000-acre portion of the San Joaquin Valley Groundwater Basin that's been designated a high-priority basin under California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). The subbasin's Groundwater Sustainability Plan, adopted in 2022, means agricultural wells here can be subject to extraction monitoring or reporting requirements that don't apply in every part of the state. This isn't meant as legal guidance — your local Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) or a contractor experienced in the subbasin can confirm exactly what applies to your property.
Typical Costs for Ag & Irrigation Wells
$5,000–$50,000+
Depending on depth, casing diameter, and required yield
Cost is driven primarily by required flow rate and depth — higher-yield wells need larger casing and more powerful pumps, which increases both drilling and equipment cost. Your local contractor can size the system to your acreage and give you an accurate number.
Agricultural & Irrigation Well FAQ
How much water can an agricultural well produce?
It varies widely by location and depth, but ag wells are typically designed for hundreds of gallons per minute — far beyond what a domestic well needs — to keep up with irrigation demand across acreage. A local contractor can estimate expected yield from nearby well logs before drilling.
Do agricultural wells require separate permits under SGMA?
Often, yes. Because the Turlock Subbasin is a designated high-priority basin under California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, agricultural wells can be subject to additional metering, reporting, or extraction limits depending on your Groundwater Sustainability Agency's rules. A local well contractor who works in this basin regularly will know the current requirements — it's worth confirming details with your GSA directly as well.
What size pump do I need for irrigation?
Pump sizing depends on required flow rate (GPM), total dynamic head (well depth plus pressure needed at the field), and the irrigation system you're feeding (drip, micro-sprinkler, or flood). A contractor will calculate this based on your acreage and crop rather than a generic rule of thumb.
Can an existing domestic well be upgraded for agricultural use?
Sometimes, but often not economically — domestic wells are typically drilled with smaller casing and lower-capacity pumps than agricultural use requires, so upgrading may mean redrilling or deepening rather than a simple pump swap. A site evaluation will tell you which makes more sense.
How much do agricultural and irrigation wells cost?
Ag wells generally cost more than residential wells — commonly $5,000 to $50,000 or more — because of larger casing diameters, greater depth requirements, and higher-horsepower pump systems needed for irrigation-scale flow.
Get a Free Ag Well Quote
Tell us about your property and irrigation needs and we'll connect you with a local contractor.