Pool Fill Cost Calculator
Select your pool shape to enter dimensions, or tap “I know gallons” to skip straight to volume.
How Much Does It Cost to Fill a Pool?
For most homeowners using a garden hose and city water, filling a pool costs between $50 and $200 for a typical residential pool. The wide range comes from your local water rate, whether your utility also charges a sewer fee on top, and how many gallons your pool holds.
The formula: Pool gallons ÷ 1,000 x water rate = water cost. But that is only part of the story. In most US cities, you also pay a sewer charge based on your water usage, and that can add 40 to 100% on top of the water charge alone.
Pool Fill Cost by Pool Size
| Pool size | Volume | At $4/1K gal (water only) | At $8/1K gal (water + sewer) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Above-ground 15 ft round, 4 ft deep | ~5,300 gal | ~$21 | ~$42 |
| Above-ground 18 ft round, 4 ft deep | ~7,600 gal | ~$30 | ~$61 |
| Above-ground 24 ft round, 4.5 ft deep | ~15,200 gal | ~$61 | ~$122 |
| Inground 12 x 24 ft, 4.5 ft avg | ~9,700 gal | ~$39 | ~$78 |
| Inground 16 x 32 ft, 5 ft avg | ~19,200 gal | ~$77 | ~$154 |
| Inground 18 x 36 ft, 5.5 ft avg | ~26,600 gal | ~$106 | ~$213 |
| Inground 20 x 40 ft, 5.5 ft avg | ~32,800 gal | ~$131 | ~$262 |
The Sewer Charge – The Hidden Cost
In the US, most municipal water systems bill sewer service based on total water consumption. The assumption is that most water you use goes down a drain. Pool water doesn’t. But unless you request otherwise, many utilities charge you the sewer rate on every gallon used to fill the pool.
Sewer rates typically run $4 to $8 per 1,000 gallons – sometimes higher than the water rate itself. Filling a 20,000-gallon pool at $5 per 1,000 gallons water and $6 per 1,000 sewer means your actual bill is $220, not the $100 you expected.
How to get the sewer charge waived
Call your water utility before you start filling. Ask if they offer a pool fill adjustment, sewer credit, or sewer waiver. Many utilities grant this automatically. Some require you to call before filling – they won’t backdate it.
Garden Hose vs Water Delivery Truck
| Method | Cost per 1,000 gal | Fill time (15K pool) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden hose (city water) | $4 to $12 (incl. sewer) | 25 to 30 hours | Most homeowners, cost-conscious |
| Water delivery truck | $30 to $60 per load equivalent | 2 to 4 hours | New builds, fast fill needed |
| Well water | $0.50 to $3 (pump electricity only) | 25 to 40 hours | Rural properties with well |
For a 15,000-gallon pool, garden hose water costs $60 to $120 including sewer charges. A water delivery truck for the same pool typically costs $450 to $900 for 2 to 3 loads. The truck is 5 to 8 times more expensive per gallon but fills the pool in a single day.
Annual Pool Water Costs
Filling the pool once is not the end of the water cost. Pools lose water continuously through evaporation, splashout, and backwashing. In a typical outdoor pool season, you will replace 10 to 30% of the pool volume through ongoing top-ups.
An outdoor pool in a sunny climate loses roughly 1/4 inch per day to evaporation in summer. On a 500 sq ft pool that is about 78 gallons per day, or 2,340 gallons per month. At $6 per 1,000 gallons all-in, that is $14 per month just from evaporation. A solar cover reduces this by 70 to 95%.
Pool Water Rates Across the US
| Region | Water rate | Sewer rate | Combined per 1K gal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast (FL, GA, SC) | $3 to $5 | $3 to $6 | $6 to $11 |
| Southwest (AZ, NV, CA) | $5 to $10 | $4 to $8 | $9 to $18 |
| Midwest (OH, IL, IN) | $4 to $7 | $4 to $7 | $8 to $14 |
| Northeast (NY, NJ, MA) | $5 to $9 | $5 to $10 | $10 to $19 |
| South Central (TX, OK) | $3 to $6 | $3 to $5 | $6 to $11 |
| Pacific Northwest (WA, OR) | $4 to $8 | $5 to $9 | $9 to $17 |
How to Reduce Your Pool Fill Cost
- Call your utility before filling. Ask about a pool fill adjustment or sewer waiver. Takes 2 minutes and can save $50 to $150.
- Use a hose pre-filter. Removes iron and sediment before it enters the pool, preventing metal staining and saving hundreds in chemical treatment.
- Fill at night or before 6am. Municipal water pressure is higher off-peak. You fill faster at the same cost, reducing the chance of overflow.
- Use a solar cover year-round. Reduces evaporation by 70 to 95%, saving $100 to $300 per year in ongoing top-up costs.
- Fix leaks immediately. A leak losing 1 inch per day on a large pool wastes thousands of gallons per week. Do a bucket test if you think the pool is losing more than evaporation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to fill a pool?
Between $50 and $200 for a typical residential pool with a garden hose and city water, depending on your local water rate and whether sewer charges apply. Use the calculator above for your exact estimate.
How much does it cost to fill a 10,000-gallon pool?
At $4 to $6 per 1,000 gallons for water, a 10,000-gallon pool costs $40 to $60. Add sewer charges of $4 to $6 per 1,000 gallons and the total rises to $80 to $120. A sewer waiver saves you the sewer portion.
How much does it cost to fill a 20,000-gallon pool?
A 20,000-gallon pool costs $80 to $130 in water charges. With sewer charges the total is $160 to $260. A sewer waiver saves $80 to $120 on a pool this size.
How do I avoid the sewer charge when filling my pool?
Call your water utility before filling and ask for a pool fill credit, sewer adjustment, or sewer waiver. Most utilities offer this but don’t advertise it. Take a meter reading before and after filling in case they ask for proof.
How much does a water truck cost to fill a pool?
Water delivery trucks charge $175 to $400 per load of 5,000 to 10,000 gallons. A 15,000-gallon pool needs 2 to 3 loads at $400 to $900 total. Garden hose tap water for the same pool costs $90 to $180 all-in.
Does filling a pool raise your water bill a lot?
Yes. Filling a 15,000 to 20,000-gallon pool can temporarily increase your water usage by 5 to 10 times your normal monthly amount. Your utility may flag it. Just call and explain you were filling a pool. Ask if they can apply a sewer waiver retroactively.