Most San Antonio wells hit the Edwards Aquifer — fast, productive, and overseen by a permitting regime that has no real equivalent anywhere else in Texas.
Where you are matters more than how deep you go
Bexar County straddles three zones of the Edwards: the recharge zone in the north (above Loop 1604), the transition zone through the central city, and the artesian zone south of downtown. Each has its own construction requirements, and each prices out a little differently. For the full geology, see our Edwards Aquifer guide.
Recharge zone (north Bexar)
Includes much of the area north of Loop 1604 — Stone Oak, Bulverde Road corridor, Hollywood Park, Fair Oaks Ranch. Wells here are typically 200–500 feet, productive, but require extra surface casing and EAA-approved construction to prevent surface contaminants from reaching the aquifer.
Artesian zone (central / south Bexar)
From roughly downtown south, wells tap a confined Edwards under pressure. Production is often spectacular (500+ gpm), depths usually 500–900 feet. Most large municipal and commercial wells in the city are completed here.
San Antonio well depths by area
| Area | Typical depth | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Stone Oak / Bulverde Rd | 200–500 ft | Recharge |
| Fair Oaks / Helotes | 300–600 ft | Recharge |
| Alamo Heights / Olmos Park | 400–700 ft | Transition |
| South Bexar / Atascosa border | 600–900 ft | Artesian |
| West Bexar / Medina border | 300–700 ft | Recharge / Western |
Permits in Bexar County
The Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) is the permitting agency for nearly all Bexar County wells. Domestic-use wells producing under 25,000 gallons per day on adequate acreage are usually exempt from a full operating permit, but must still be registered, must be constructed to Edwards Rules, and must be drilled by a TDLR-licensed contractor.
Recharge-zone wells additionally need:
- EAA-approved well construction plan
- Extended surface casing through the recharge interval
- Cementing requirements verified during construction
- Inspection prior to completion
Costs in San Antonio
Despite the extra permitting overhead, San Antonio is not the most expensive market in Texas to drill in. Edwards wells are relatively shallow and productive, and the deep local talent pool keeps per-foot rates competitive. All-in 2026: $14,000 to $28,000 for a typical residential well.
Common Bexar County well issues
- Drought response. When the J-17 index well drops below trigger levels, EAA drought stages cut pumping. Outdoor restrictions hit hard.
- Surface contamination after heavy rain in the recharge zone — bacterial events are real and well caps must be sanitary.
- Hydrogen sulfide in deeper artesian wells — manageable with aeration or chemical treatment.
- Abandoned wells. Many Bexar County properties have unplugged historical wells. Texas requires plugging by a licensed contractor.
Is a San Antonio well worth it?
For unincorporated parts of Bexar County and the surrounding counties (Medina, Wilson, Atascosa), yes — particularly on acreage. Inside SAWS service area, the math is more nuanced: water rates are relatively affordable but property-specific factors (irrigation demand, future development plans, drought resilience) often tilt the analysis toward a private well.