How Deep Should You Drill a Borewell?

Updated July 2026 · ~5 min read

There is no single answer — depth depends on your geology and water table. But you can estimate a sensible range before drilling so you budget for casing, pump and cost, and know when to stop.

What controls depth

• Depth to the water table — the level below which the ground is saturated.
• Aquifer type: shallow alluvial aquifers may yield at 15–60 m; hard-rock fracture aquifers can require 60–150 m or more.
• Season and recharge: the table drops in summer and rises after the monsoon/rainy season.
• Local well data: what depths neighbours succeeded (and failed) at.

Typical ranges (indicative)

• Alluvial plains: often 15–60 m.
• Weathered/fractured hard rock: commonly 60–150 m, targeting fracture zones.
• Deep or arid settings: 150 m+ with lower success probability.

These are general ranges only. A site scan that combines geology and terrain — like JalDrishti's — gives you an estimated depth band specific to your point, so you can plan the rig, casing and pump before drilling.

Why estimating depth first saves money

Drilling is usually charged per metre or per foot, plus casing and a pump matched to the depth and yield. Knowing the likely depth band lets you get accurate quotes, avoid over-drilling, and choose the right motor and pipe — instead of discovering costs mid-job.

Know when to stop

If you pass well beyond the expected depth for your geology with no water, continuing rarely helps. It is often cheaper to re-select the point using better data than to keep drilling a poor location.