How Much Does It Cost to Fill a Pool With Water? [2026 Data]

The cost to fill up an average-sized pool depends on the source of the water. Most people spend $4 to $10 per 1,000 gallons from a garden hose or $30 to $100 per 1,000 gallons from a water delivery service. In total, most homeowners spend about $180—or between $60 to $1,250—to fill an average-sized swimming pool with water.

Cost Factors to Fill a Pool With Water

Water is an ongoing pool maintenance cost. Most people spend $20 to $500 per season replacing water that evaporates, but filling a totally empty pool will cost a lot more. To figure out the price, you have to weigh a number of different factors—mainly, the size of your pool, the source of the water, and the current level of water. 

So, how much does it cost to fill a pool with water? Let’s break it down.

Pool Size

The size of your pool has the biggest impact on how much it costs to fill it with water. Most of the time, in-ground pools cost more to fill because they’re larger and deeper. Aboveground pools tend to cost less, though circular aboveground pools can hold a deceptively large volume.

All in all, the average pool holds around 17,000 gallons. This costs $68 to $170 to fill from a garden hose or $30 to 1,700 to fill using a water delivery service.

Pool Water Source Types

If you're using local municipal water, filling a swimming pool is pretty straightforward. But when you rely on a well or prefer a delivery service, the cost can get a bit more tricky to determine. Here's what to consider when choosing your pool's water source, along with some common costs.

City Water

At an average of $0.004 to $0.01 per gallon, city water is the most inexpensive and popular option. For 15,000 to 30,000 gallons, you'll pay between $60 and $300. However, be sure to check with your municipality before turning the hose on full-throttle. Overuse fines go up to $100 in California. 

Well Water

If you're using a well instead of city water, then you may not have any bills in the mail. However, your electricity bill will reflect the power the well pump uses to move water from below ground to your pool. Most homeowners spend $25 to $75 on electricity costs, though it depends on the pump’s wattage, manufacturer, age, and model. Chemically unstable well water may also need chemical treatments.

Water Delivery Service

Many pool owners consider hiring a local pool service to supply their pool with water. Consider the cost of the water supply, the type of water, and how many gallons you'll need. You’ll pay $0.03 to $0.10 per gallon for water from a pool water delivery service—or about $500 to $1,700 to fill the average 17,000-gallon pool. Keep in mind that you may spend more to fill a smaller pool since some companies only sell water by the truckload.

Partial Fills

Most homeowners spend $20 to $500 per season refilling their pool. To avoid overfilling, you should estimate the pool's water content. For every 20,000 gallons of water, expect to add 1,000 to 3,000 gallons (or 15%) when refilling from a partial drain below the skimmer. 

Throughout the season, you may need to pay for maintenance water as your pool loses water from leaks, evaporation, and kids splashing around.

Location 

City water costs vary by location. You can expect to spend more in areas with a higher cost of living. Though city water is still more cost-effective than water delivery, water delivery may be an economical option that saves you some time.

If you live in a rural or inaccessible area, you’ll end up paying more for water delivery. The more miles their truck has to travel, the more they’ll charge. In this case, you may want to use a well or your garden hose.

Cost to Fill a Pool per Gallon of Water

The amount of water it takes to fill a pool after installation varies greatly depending on the size of your swimming pool. 

Grab your calculator—you can determine how many gallons of water your swimming pool holds (aka the volume) by crunching a few numbers or using this pool volume calculator.

Circular Pool Cost Formula

Diameter Length (A) x Diameter Length (B) x Depth x 5.9 = Total Water Volume

Rectangular Pool Cost Formula

Length (A) x Length (B) x Depth x 7.5 = Total Water Volume

Note: If your pool has shallow and deep ends, calculate the average depth to determine how much water it holds.

A record of your pool's dimensions from your local pool installer will make it easier to figure out how much water is necessary to fill it.

Basic Per-Gallon Formula

Once you know the total number of gallons your pool holds, look up your water rate on your bill to estimate how much it will cost to fill. 

Let's look at this simple formula:

(pool capacity in gallons/1,000) x cost per 1,000 gallons = cost to fill a pool with water

Let's say your water and sewer rate comes to $9 for every 1,000 gallons you use, and you have a 20,000-gallon pool. Here's how you can determine how much it will cost to fill your pool with municipal water:

(20,000 Gallons/1,000) x $9 = $180

Why You Should Hire a Pool Water Delivery Pro

Whether you have city water or a private well, the high water bill or stress on your well pump probably isn't worth it. What's more, both options require you to patiently wait and monitor for several days, rather than having a pool that's filled and ready in a few hours. Most local pool repair companies near you deliver treated water that's safe for immediate use. While it may feel tempting to use water that's "free" from your own home instead of paying a pro, paying for a new well pump after wearing yours out from attempting to fill your pool with hose water could cost between $1,500 and $6,500.

Here's why it's ideal to hire a pool water delivery pro

• Your home's water source may contain minerals that can strain your pool's pump and filter.

• Your water bill after a few days of running your hose to fill your pool could equal the cost of water delivery.

• Allowing a well pump to run for hours or days can cause it to break.

• If you live in a drought area, using a hose to fill a pool can leave your faucets dry.

If you want to DIY filling your pool with water

For those with the patience, these are some ways to get the most from doing it yourself:

• Position your hose at the bottom of your pool during filling to avoid air pockets.

• Balance your hose water with pool chemicals as soon as the pool is done filling.

• Cover your pool between filling sessions if it's taking several days to prevent evaporation.

• If you use well water, consider installing a water softener to prevent minerals from entering your pool filter.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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