Well Yield Tests in Ireland — How to Confirm a Rural Water Supply Before You Buy
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Yield (litres per minute) is what matters, not depth. A typical Irish domestic well is 30–80 m deep, sometimes deeper on limestone, and yield varies from 5 L/min (marginal, you'll need storage) to 50+ L/min (plenty for a domestic house). A 24-hour pump test costs €600–€1,200 and confirms the sustainable yield. Get the test before you sign contracts — a dry well is a deal-killer, a marginal well is a €5k–€15k spec change (storage tank, larger pump, or both). Most rural Irish homes need 1,000–1,500 L/day. At 5 L/min, the well can supply 7,200 L/day but you'd need a 2,000 L storage tank to manage peak draw (morning shower + dishwasher). At 20 L/min, the well can supply 28,800 L/day without storage. A 50 m well is not necessarily a 20 L/min well; you need the pump test to know.
TL;DR
Yield (litres per minute) is what matters, not depth. A typical Irish domestic well: 30–80 m deep, sometimes deeper on limestone. Yield varies from 5 L/min (marginal) to 50+ L/min (plenty).
A 24-hour pump test costs €600–€1,200 and confirms the sustainable yield. Get the test before you sign contracts — a dry well is a deal-killer.
Most rural Irish homes need 1,000–1,500 L/day. At 5 L/min, the well can supply 7,200 L/day but you'd need storage. At 20 L/min, the well can supply 28,800 L/day without storage.
When this matters most
You're choosing a rural site with no mains water, or you've gone sale-agreed on one.
When this doesn't apply
Your site has a confirmed Uisce Éireann water connection.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a well yield test cost in Ireland?
€600–€1,200 for a 24-hour pump test. Includes a drawdown test, recovery test, and a report on sustainable yield. Most drillers do this in one visit.
How deep is a typical Irish well?
30–80 m on most Irish geology. Deeper on limestone (up to 150 m). Depth is not the limiting factor — yield is.
What is a good yield for a domestic well in Ireland?
20+ L/min is comfortable. 5–20 L/min is workable with storage. Below 5 L/min is marginal and may need a second well or larger storage.
Sources
Geological Survey Ireland, Groundwater resources. https://www.gsi.ie/
EPA, Drinking water guidance for private supplies. https://www.epa.ie/
Frequently asked questions
How much does a well yield test cost in Ireland?
€600–€1,200 for a 24-hour pump test. Includes a drawdown test, recovery test, and a report on sustainable yield. Most drillers do this in one visit.
How deep is a typical Irish well?
30–80 m on most Irish geology. Deeper on limestone (up to 150 m). Depth is not the limiting factor — yield is.
What is a good yield for a domestic well in Ireland?
20+ L/min is comfortable. 5–20 L/min is workable with storage. Below 5 L/min is marginal and may need a second well or larger storage.