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

In 2026, the national average cost to fill a swimming pool with water is $180. Most homeowners pay $90 to $270 in total. This breaks down to $4 to $10 per 1,000 gallons from a garden hose or $30 to $100 per 1,000 gallons from a water delivery service. Costs are driven by pool size, water source, and local utility rates.

Pool Filling Cost Factors: What Determines the Price?

Water is an ongoing pool maintenance cost, and most homeowners spend $20 to $500 per season replacing water lost to evaporation, though filling a completely empty pool costs significantly more. The final price depends on three primary factors: pool size, water source, and current water level. Understanding each factor before you start helps you choose the most cost-effective approach for your situation.

Pool Size

Pool size is the single biggest factor in what you'll pay to fill it with water, and in-ground pools cost more because they hold greater volume. The average pool holds around 17,000 gallons, which runs $68 to $170 from a garden hose or $30 to 1,700 using a water delivery service. Aboveground pools generally cost less to fill, though circular models can hold a surprisingly large volume. 

The table below breaks down the average cost to fill a swimming pool by size:

Pool Water Source Types

Choosing the right water source for filling your pool is straightforward with city water but requires more planning when you rely on a well or a delivery service. City water is the simplest and most affordable option, while well water eliminates the water bill but adds electricity costs. A delivery service costs more per gallon but saves time and often delivers pre-treated water. Here is a comparison of common pool water sources and their average costs per gallon:

City Water

At an average cost of $0.004 to $0.01 per gallon, city water is the least expensive and most popular option for filling a swimming pool. 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 in California go up to $100.

Well Water

If you're using well water instead of city water, 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

Partial pool refills cost most homeowners $20 to $500 per season to replace water lost to evaporation, splashing, and minor leaks. To avoid overfilling, estimate your pool's current water content before you start. For every 20,000 gallons of pool capacity, plan to add 1,000 to 3,000 gallons—about 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

Where you live directly affects what you pay to fill a pool, since city water rates are higher in areas with a greater cost of living. City water remains more cost-effective than delivery in most regions, but delivery can be a practical trade-off when time matters. In rural or hard-to-reach areas, delivery costs rise with distance—the farther the truck travels, the more you pay. If delivery becomes too expensive, using a well or garden hose is often the better alternative.

How Much Does Pool Filling Cost per Gallon?

The total gallons needed to fill your pool vary widely with size, which directly affects your overall water cost. Smaller pools, like hot tubs, require just a few hundred gallons, while large diving pools can require more than 20,000 gallons. Knowing your pool's exact volume before you call a supplier or turn on the hose helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises.

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 determine how much water is needed to fill it.

Basic Per-Gallon Formula

Once you know your pool's total capacity in gallons, look up your water rate on your utility bill to calculate your fill cost. The formula is straightforward: divide your pool's capacity in gallons by 1,000, then multiply by your cost per 1,000 gallons. For example, at $9 per 1,000 gallons with a 20,000-gallon pool, the math works out to $180 to fill it completely. Here is how that cost scales across common pool volumes:

Why You Should Hire a Pool Water Delivery Pro

Hiring a professional pool water delivery service saves time and protects your equipment—most local pool repair companies near you deliver treated water that's swim-ready within hours rather than days. City water and well water both require days of monitoring, and running a well pump continuously can burn it out entirely. Replacing a worn-out well pump can cost between $1,500 and $6,500, which quickly erases any savings from skipping delivery. If you have a private well, the risk to your pump alone makes professional delivery worth serious consideration.

• Pool water delivery service: $0.03 to $0.10 per gallon

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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