Water Well Drilling Company Serving Tucson, AZ
Nelson Drilling is a water well drilling company serving Tucson, AZ, and the broader Southern Arizona region with more than 30 years of residential and commercial drilling experience. Whether you own rural acreage in Marana, a ranch near Red Rock, or a home in Sahuarita or Green Valley, Nelson Drilling can assess your site, handle Arizona permitting, and drill your well from start to finish. Call (520) 682-8592 today for a free, no-obligation estimate.
Trusted Well Drilling Services Serving Tucson and Southern Arizona
Nelson Drilling serves property owners across Pima, Pinal, and Santa Cruz counties. The Tucson basin sits on a deep alluvial aquifer system fed by the Santa Cruz River and surrounding mountain ranges. Drilling depths commonly range from 250 to 600 feet depending on location. Properties along the Santa Cruz corridor may reach water at shallower depths, while those near the Catalina Foothills or Oro Valley often require deeper drilling due to harder rock formations. Sahuarita and Green Valley can also see greater depths due to decades of agricultural groundwater use.
Caliche layers, a calcium-carbonate cemented soil common throughout the Tucson basin, are a known drilling challenge. An experienced local water well drilling company can anticipate these layers and plan accordingly.
Explore the full range of options on our services page.
Residential and Commercial Well Drilling in the Tucson Region
Nelson Drilling handles both residential and commercial projects across the Tucson area. Residential drilling typically serves homeowners in unincorporated Pima County, Marana, Oro Valley, Sahuarita, and outlying communities like Red Rock and Vail. Commercial projects may involve higher-yield systems for agricultural operations, ranches, or businesses with greater water demand.
Every project begins with a site assessment covering well depth requirements and local groundwater conditions before equipment is mobilized. The team then matches pump type and casing specifications to your site.
For pump installation and replacement, see our
well pump installation contractor
page.
How the Arizona Well Drilling Process Works
- Site evaluation: Nelson Drilling reviews your property location, lot size, and proximity to existing water sources or structures.
- ADWR Notice of Intent: An ADWR Form 55-40 must be filed with the Arizona Department of Water Resources before drilling begins. This is required for all new wells, including those within the Tucson Active Management Area.
- County permit: Pima County typically requires a well construction permit in addition to the ADWR filing.
- Drilling and casing: Once approvals are in place, Nelson Drilling drills to the target depth and installs casing per Arizona construction standards.
- Completion report and water testing: A well completion report is filed with ADWR, and a bacteriological water test is typically required before the system goes into service.
Arizona requires all wells to be drilled by an ADWR-licensed contractor. Nelson Drilling holds the required state licensing and Registrar of Contractors credentials for residential and commercial well work.
How Deep Are Wells Drilled in the Tucson Area?
Well depth in the Tucson area typically ranges from 250 to 600 feet. Properties near the Santa Cruz River corridor may reach water at shallower depths, while parcels near mountain range fronts or in areas with declining water tables may require deeper drilling. The Avra Valley sub-basin near Marana has its own groundwater characteristics influenced by alluvial geology. A pre-drill site assessment is the most reliable way to estimate depth for your project.
Choosing the right water well drilling company for your Tucson property helps ensure depth estimates rest on genuine local knowledge rather than guesswork.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Permits Are Required to Drill a Well in Arizona?
Arizona requires a Notice of Intent to Drill filed with ADWR before any new well can be constructed. In the Tucson Active Management Area, this filing is mandatory for all residential and commercial wells, including exempt wells under 35 gallons per minute. Pima County may also require a separate well construction permit. Nelson Drilling can walk you through the required filings for your parcel.
How Long Does It Take to Drill a Well Near Tucson?
Actual drilling typically takes a few days once permits are approved and equipment is on site. ADWR Notice of Intent processing can take several weeks depending on the well type and whether the property falls within an Active Management Area. Working with an experienced water well drilling company helps keep the overall timeline on track.
What Areas Near Tucson Does Nelson Drilling Serve? Nelson Drilling serves clients across the greater Tucson region, including Marana, Oro Valley, Sahuarita, Green Valley, Red Rock, Casa Grande, and surrounding communities in Pima, Pinal, and Santa Cruz counties.
Yes. Nelson Drilling provides full-service well drilling and pump installation. Once your well is drilled, the team can install a submersible pump sized to your well depth, water demand, and local geology. Having one contractor handle both phases simplifies coordination and accountability.
What Areas Near Tucson Does Nelson Drilling Serve?
Nelson Drilling serves clients across the greater Tucson region, including Marana, Oro Valley, Sahuarita, Green Valley, Red Rock, Casa Grande, and surrounding communities in Pima, Pinal, and Santa Cruz counties.
How Do I Get a Quote for Well Drilling Services?
Call 520-682-8592 or visit the contact page to discuss your project and request a free estimate.
Contact Nelson Drilling Serving Tucson, AZ
Nelson Drilling is a licensed water well drilling company serving Tucson, AZ, and surrounding Southern Arizona communities, with over 30 years of experience on residential and commercial projects. From the Avra Valley corridor near Marana to properties in Sahuarita and Green Valley, the team brings the local knowledge your project requires. If you are looking for a well drilling company with a proven track record in Southern Arizona, Nelson Drilling is ready to help.
Call (520) 682-8592 or visit the services page to learn more.
