Is it time to treat yourself to backyard pool parties and late-night swims? Start with our guide, which answers the question: how much does it cost to build a pool?
How Much Does It Cost to Fill a Pool With Water? [2026 Data]
Normal Range: $90 - $270
Filling a pool with water averages $180, but it ranges from $90 to $270 depending on the pool size and water source. Your pool services pro can explain how to estimate the cost.
How we get this data
Photo: Ursula Page / Adobe Stock
Photo: Ursula Page / Adobe Stock
Highlights
You’ll spend at least $4 per 1,000 gallons to fill your pool or $30 per 1,000 gallons for a pro to do so.
Some municipalities charge an overuse fee, so check before you turn on your hose.
It’ll take you 12 to 24 hours to fill the average pool with water from a hose.
If you’re on well water, your electricity bill will increase (but you won’t pay water fees).
Expect to spend an additional $20 to $500 per season to top off your pool.
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 Size | Gallons | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Hot tub | 300–500 | $1–$50 |
| Spool | 6,000–6,800 | $24–$680 |
| Cocktail pool | 8,000–10,000 | $32–$1,000 |
| Standard pool | 12,000–13,500 | $48–$1,300 |
| Lap Pool | 16,000–20,000 | $64–$2,000 |
| Diving pool | 23,000–28,000 | $92–$2,800 |
Pool Water Source Types
Photo: Александр Трихонюк / Adobe Stock
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.
| Water Source | Average Cost Range (Per Gallon) |
|---|---|
| City water or garden hose | $0.004–$0.01 |
| Well water | $0 (pay for electricity only) |
| Truck delivery service | $0.03–$0.10 |
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
| Pool Size (Gallons) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 10,000 | $90 |
| 15,000 | $135 |
| 20,000 | $180 |
| 25,000 | $225 |
| 30,000 | $270 |
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.
Next Steps: Finalize Your Project With a Pro
Have your pool dimensions in front of you when contacting local pool water delivery companies (length × width × depth for square pools and diameter x depth for round pools). Share the specific volume if you remember from past fillings.
Clarify your preference for treated or untreated water.
Share any details about your property's location or accessibility that are useful.
If you're refilling your pool fully because you've recently replaced a liner, consider inquiring about the cost of converting to a saltwater pool.
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.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
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