How much does it cost to fill a pool with water?
How much does it cost to fill a pool with water?
$4 – $10 average cost per 1,000 gallons (garden hose)
$30 to $100 average cost per 1,000 gallons (water delivery truck)
$40 – $2,000 cost to fill a pool (10,000 – 20,000 gallons)
Cost to fill a pool with water
The cost to fill a pool with water is $40 to $2,000, depending on the swimming pool size and water source. Filling a pool with water costs $4 to $10 per 1,000 gallons from a garden hose or $30 to $100 per 1,000 gallons from a pool water delivery service.
| Size | Average total cost | Description* |
|---|---|---|
| Partial fill | $20 – $500 per season | Replace 2-4 inches due to evaporation |
| Hot tub | $2 – $50 | Fill a four to six-person hot tub (300-500 gallons) |
| Small above ground pool | $12 – $300 | Fill 12' round above ground pool (3,000 gallons) |
| Large above ground pool | $25 – $600 | Fill 12' x 24' above ground oval pool (6,000 gallons) |
| Small rectangular inground pool | $25 – $600 | Fill 10' x 20' inground pool with 3’ shallow end and a 6’ deep end (6,000 gallons) |
| Large custom inground pool | $80 – $2,000 | Fill kidney-shaped inground pool with a 3' shallow end and 6' deep end (20,000 gallons) |
*Pool volumes are approximate.
Average cost to fill a pool with water
The following table shows the average cost to fill a 10,000 to 20,000-gallon swimming pool with water.
| National Average Cost | $900 |
|---|---|
| Minimum Cost | $25 |
| Maximum Cost | $4,000 |
| Average Range | $40 to $2,000 |
*Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Several factors affect the total cost to fill a pool, including:
Pool size – Larger pools require more gallons or truckloads of water, increasing costs.
Fill method – Using a garden hose costs $40 to $200 while hiring a water delivery service costs $300 to $2,000 to fill a 10,000 to 20,000-gallon pool.
Geographic location – Rates for water delivery are often higher in areas where pools are less common.
Water type – Treated, city water is potable and safe for swimming. Pre-chlorinated water is already chemically balanced but typically costs more.
Whole or partial fill – Topping off the pool after water loss from evaporation, leak, or repair is cheaper than filling the whole pool.
Cost to fill a pool per gallons of water
| Gallons | Average total cost (garden hose) | Average total cost (water truck delivery) |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $4 – $10 | $30 – $100 |
| 5,000 | $20 – $50 | $150 – $500 |
| 10,000 | $40 – $100 | $300 – $1,000 |
| 15,000 | $60 – $150 | $450 – $1,500 |
| 20,000 | $80 – $200 | $600 – $2,000 |
| 25,000 | $100 – $250 | $750 – $2,500 |
| 30,000 | $120 – $300 | $900 – $3,000 |
| 40,000 | $160 – $400 | $1,200 – $4,000 |
Cost to partially refill a pool
The cost to partially refill a pool is $20 to $500. Pools lose an average of a ¼” of water each day due to evaporation and splashing. Homeowners can easily top up the water level using a garden hose, which costs much less than having water delivered.
Schedule a pool repair service to check for leaks if water levels drop more than ½” daily. Other ways to minimize pool water loss include:
A pool cover costs $1,000 to $3,600 for a manual cover or $8,000 to $20,000 for an automatic cover to slow down surface evaporation and reduce the need for refilling.
A pool liner costs $2,000 to $5,000 for an above-ground pool or $3,000 to $7,500 for an inground pool to prevent water leaks.
A pool screen enclosure costs $4,000 to $14,000 and reduces surface evaporation, chlorine and chemical requirements, and cleaning time.
Pool maintenance costs $80 to $150 for a weekly or bi-weekly cleaning service.
Cost of filling a pool by water source
The cost to fill a pool is $4 to $100 per 1,000 gallons of water. City drinking water is pre-treated for safe swimming. Well water is free but requires treatment to remove odors and sediments. A water delivery service is more costly but convenient, especially when delivering pre-chlorinated pool water.
| Method | Average cost (per 1,000 gallons) | Average total cost* |
|---|---|---|
| City water | $4 – $10 | $40 – $200 |
| Well water | Free water | $25 – $75 (pump electricity cost) |
| Water delivery service | $30 – $100 | $300 – $2,000 |
*For a 10,000- to 20,000-gallon pool.
Pool water requires chemical treatment to sanitize and balance the water for safe swimming unless the company delivers pre-chlorinated water.
Most water delivery services fill their trucks with treated municipal water, so areas with higher water costs pay more for water delivery services.
Cost to fill up a pool with city water
Filling a pool with municipal water costs $4 to $10 per 1,000 gallons or $40 to $200 for a 10,000- to 20,000-gallon pool. Sewer fees are based on metered water usage. The city may waive sewer fees for the excess water used since pool water isn’t flushed.
Cost of filling a pool with well water
Well water is free, but pool owners spend $25 to $75 for electricity to run the well pump during the fill. Filling the pool slowly allows the well to refill, protecting the pump from running dry. The pump runs nonstop for several days while filling the pool and treating the water.
Filling a pool with well water could burn out the pump or leave the home without water for days if the well runs out of water.
Pool water delivery cost
Pool water delivery costs $200 to $600 per truckload or $800 to $2,400 to fill an average 20,000-gallon pool. Most trucks carry 6,000 gallons of water and deliver multiple loads to fill a pool.
| Pool size (gallons) | Truckloads needed | Average total cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 | 1 | $200 – $600 |
| 10,000 | 2 | $400 – $1,200 |
| 15,000 | 3 | $600 – $1,800 |
| 20,000 | 3 – 4 | $600 – $2,400 |
| 25,000 | 4 – 5 | $800 – $3,000 |
| 30,000 | 5 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| 35,000 | 6 | $1,200 – $3,600 |
| 40,000 | 7 | $1,400 – $4,200 |
Some companies offer pre-chlorinated water to save time in testing and balancing the pool.
Beware of companies that fill the truck from an unclean water source or carry anything other than clean water in their tankers.
Frequently asked questions
How do you fill a pool with water?
Fill a pool with a garden hose using city water or a well. If using well water, be sure to watch the water pressure and flow. Take breaks every few hours to let the well refill to avoid burning out the pump. Alternatively, hire a pool water delivery service to fill the pool.
How much is your water bill after filling a pool?
Expect the water bill to double when filling a pool using municipal water. The average family uses 12,000 gallons of water per month, and the average inground pool is 10,000 to 20,000 gallons.
Apply for a wastewater credit to avoid paying sewer fees on the pool water.
Where can I get water for my pool?
You can get water for your pool from a water delivery service, which will fill the pool via a water truck. A cheaper but slower way to get water is with a garden hose.
Who fills up swimming pools?
Homeowners fill their swimming pool with a garden hose or pay for a water delivery service. In some small towns, the local fire department may empty a fire hydrant or flush their tanker into the pool for a minimal fee or donation.
Is it cheaper to fill a pool with a hose or get water delivered?
Filling a pool with water from a garden hose is cheaper than hiring a pool water delivery company.
How long does it take to fill a pool with water?
Filling a pool with a garden hose takes 12 to 36+ hours for larger pools. A water delivery truck fills a pool in less than 1 hour but costs nearly 10 times more for the speed and convenience.
How much water does a pool use per month?
A pool typically loses 1 inch of water per week in the summer due to evaporation. Over a month, this adds up to about 2,000 gallons of water, depending on the pool size.
How do I calculate how much pool water I need?
Use a pool volume calculator or one of the following formulas to estimate the gallons of water needed to fill the pool.
Round pool volume – Measure the distance across the widest part of the circle and divide in half to find the radius. Then, use the following formula:
3.14 x radius 2 x average depth x 7.5 = volume in gallons
Rectangular pool volume – Measure the length, width, and average depth of the pool. Then, use the following formula:
Length x width x average depth x 7.5 = volume in gallons
Irregular-shaped pool volume – Measure the smaller, regularly shaped parts that make up the overall pool. For example, measure a kidney-shaped pool as two smaller circles. Calculate the volume in each small section using the following formula, then add the volume figures together to approximate the pool’s total volume:
Length x width x average depth x 7.5 = volume in gallons
Getting quotes from pool filling companies
Before hiring a company to fill your pool, be sure to:
Look for a pool-filling company that has been in business for more than five years.
Choose companies that are licensed, bonded, and insured.
Browse their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Get at least three estimates to compare.
Avoid selecting the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
Get a detailed estimate, contract, and warranty in writing before the fill begins.
Never pay in full before delivery.
Questions to ask
How long have you been delivering pool water?
How many pools have you filled in the last year?
How many gallons of water does your truck hold?
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
Can you supply a list of references?
How many gallons do I need to fill my pool size?
How much do you charge to fill a pool?
How long will it take to fill the pool?
How soon can we swim after you fill the pool?
Do I need to be home during the delivery?
Will the water pressure damage my pool liner?
Where do you get your water?
Is the water chemically treated?
Are your trucks used for hauling fuel or fertilizer before delivering water?
Do you service pools and equipment?