Pool Fill Cost Calculator
US average $6.64 per 1,000 gal (U.S. EPA WaterSense, Data and Information Used by WaterSense, 2023).
Typical price; a local quote is best.
5-gallon bucket in 30 s = 10 GPM.
Cost to fill with tap water
$132.80
Filling 20,000 gallons from the tap costs about $132.80; 4 truckloads would cost about $1,600, so tap water is cheaper.
- Truck delivery
- $1,600 (4 loads)
- Hose fill time
- 33.3 hours (1.4 days)
- Sewer charged
- No
How it's calculated
- Water and sewer rates default to the US averages published by the EPA WaterSense program ($6.64 and $8.57 per 1,000 gallons; 2023 data, checked 2026-10-29). Your bill shows your actual rate, often per 1,000 gallons or per CCF (748 gallons).
- Truck delivery defaults to $400.00 per load of 6,000 gallons. Prices vary widely with distance and fuel, so use a local quote when you have one.
- Tiered water rates charge more per gallon at higher use. If your bill is tiered, enter the top-tier rate for a more realistic figure.
Worked example
A 20,000 gallon pool at the default rates, with a 10 GPM garden hose:
- Tap water: 20,000 ÷ 1,000 × $6.64 = $132.80.
- If sewer is charged too: 20 × ($6.64 + $8.57) = $304.20.
- Truck: 20,000 ÷ 6,000 = 3.3 → 4 loads × $400.00 = $1,600.
- Hose: 20,000 ÷ 10 ÷ 60 = 33.3 hours, about 1.4 days of continuous filling.
The water is usually the cheap part. Plan for start-up chemicals too, and keep the fill hose in sight: an overflowing pool on a forgotten hose is the classic surprise on the next water bill.
Fill cost by pool size
| Pool size | Water only | Water + sewer | Hose at 10 GPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5,000 gal | $33.20 | $76.05 | 8.3 h |
| 10,000 gal | $66.40 | $152.10 | 16.7 h |
| 15,000 gal | $99.60 | $228.15 | 25 h |
| 20,000 gal | $132.80 | $304.20 | 33.3 h |
| 25,000 gal | $166.00 | $380.25 | 41.7 h |
| 30,000 gal | $199.20 | $456.30 | 50 h |
Rates: U.S. EPA WaterSense, Data and Information Used by WaterSense (2026-10-29).
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fill a 20,000 gallon pool?
At the US average water rate of $6.64 per 1,000 gallons, about $132.80. If your utility also bills sewer on that water ($8.57 per 1,000 gallons on average), the total is about $304.20. Water truck delivery for the same pool is typically several hundred to well over a thousand dollars.
Can I avoid sewer charges when filling a pool?
Often, yes. Many water utilities offer a sewer credit or adjustment for pool fills because the water does not go down the drain. Call before you fill; some require a form or a photo of the hose in the pool.
How long does it take to fill a pool with a garden hose?
It depends on your water pressure. At 10 gallons per minute, a 20,000 gallon pool takes about 33 hours. To measure your hose, time how long it takes to fill a 5-gallon bucket: 30 seconds means 10 GPM.
Is it cheaper to fill a pool with a water truck?
Rarely, if you have municipal water. Trucks make sense when you are on a well that cannot supply that much water, when local water quality is poor, or when you need the pool filled in hours instead of days.
Do I need to treat a pool after filling it?
Yes. Test the fresh water and then add chlorine, stabilizer and, for saltwater pools, salt. Well water and some tap water also contain metals that can stain once chlorine is added, so test for iron and copper first.
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