Residential vs. Commercial Well: Sizing, Cost, and Permits
Residential wells serve a single home; commercial wells serve businesses, multi-family buildings, hospitality, and light industrial. The differences run beyond size — permits, casing, water-right volume, and inspection requirements all shift.
Comparison Table
| Attribute | Residential Well | Commercial Well |
|---|
| Typical depth | 200 - 500 ft | 200 - 800 ft |
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| Typical casing diameter | 6 in | 8 - 16 in |
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| Typical sustained yield | 6 - 15 GPM | 30 - 300+ GPM |
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| Permitted volume | 1.0 - 4.5 acre-feet/yr | 5 - 100+ acre-feet/yr |
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| Pump size | 0.5 - 2 HP | 5 - 75+ HP |
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| Power | Single-phase 240V | Three-phase 240V or 480V |
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| Storage | Pressure tank only | Often includes storage tank or hydropneumatic system |
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| Cost range | $20,000 - $60,000 | $40,000 - $150,000+ |
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| Timeline | 5 - 10 days | 7 - 12+ days plus inspections |
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How to Decide
- Pick Residential Well: You're serving one single-family residence on its own water right.
- Pick Commercial Well: You're serving multiple residences, a commercial building, hospitality, manufacturing, or anything with peak demand above 15 GPM.
- Pick Commercial Well: Your use will trigger Utah Public Drinking Water rules (typically 25+ people or 15+ connections).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a residential well be upgraded to commercial later?
Sometimes — if the casing is large enough and the water right can be expanded. Often it's cheaper to drill a dedicated commercial well.
Does a commercial well need extra inspections?
Yes — commercial wells that serve 25+ people fall under Utah's Public Drinking Water rules and require regular sampling and reporting.