Filling a pool costs $60 to $1,250 in 2026
Angi puts the typical total at about $180. City water from a garden hose costs about $4 to $10 per 1,000 gallons, and a water delivery truck $30 to $100 per 1,000 gallons. An average 17,000 gallon pool costs about $68 to $170 by hose.
Cost by pool size (Angi)
| Hot tub, 300 to 500 gallons | $1 to $50. |
|---|---|
| Small pool, 6,000 to 6,800 gallons | $24 to $680. |
| Standard pool, 12,000 to 13,500 gallons | $48 to $1,300. |
| Lap pool, 16,000 to 20,000 gallons | $64 to $2,000. |
| Diving pool, 23,000 to 28,000 gallons | $92 to $2,800. |
| Typical inground pool by hose | $100 to $500 with city water (Swimply, June 2026). |
What pushes a quote up
| Pool size | Gallons drive the bill. |
|---|---|
| Water source | A truck costs up to 10 times more than a hose. |
| Local water rate | Some cities charge tiered rates for heavy use. |
| Sewer fees | Many utilities bill sewer on water used, even though pool water does not go down the drain. |
| Chemicals | Startup chemicals are a separate cost. |
Pool fill cost by region
| Lower cost states | $65 to $400. Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia and most rural areas. |
|---|---|
| Average cost states | $80 to $500. Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and most mid size cities. |
| Higher cost states | $105 to $650. California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington, plus big metros such as Chicago, Denver and Washington DC. |
These rows are our estimate. We took the typical national range and adjusted it for local labor costs, which run about 20 percent lower in the cheapest states and about 30 percent higher in the dearest ones. Water rates vary a lot by city, so check your utility's price per 1,000 gallons.
Hose or truck, and the sewer fee trick
Most owners fill with a garden hose. Shasta Pools, which has built pools in Arizona for 60 years, says more than 95 percent of its owners use a hose, and most Phoenix area fills cost $100 to $250. A truck is much faster but costs far more per gallon, and it makes sense mainly if your water pressure is low, you are on a weak well, or local rules limit hose use.
Many utilities charge sewer fees based on how much water you use. Swimply notes pool water does not go into the sewer, so ask your utility whether it will adjust or credit sewer charges for a pool fill. Some do if you call ahead.
Do the math
Multiply your pool's gallons by your city rate. A 20,000 gallon pool at $6 per 1,000 gallons costs about $120 in water, before sewer and chemicals.
Why this costs more in 2026
Water and sewer rates keep rising in many cities, and truck delivery is priced with diesel.
Fuel is the common thread. AAA's national average for diesel passed $6 a gallon for the first time on September 11, 2026, up from about $3.70 a year earlier (CBS 8 reporting AAA). Every truck roll and every delivery carries that. Materials moved too. Associated Builders and Contractors reported construction input prices up 4.8 percent in a year as of March 2026, the largest annual gain since January 2023, and the Associated General Contractors said diesel jumped 37.8 percent in one month, the largest one month rise since 1990 (Roofing Contractor, April 2026). Some suppliers added freight surcharges this year. Ask how long your quote is good for.
How to judge the quote in your hand
- Ask the truck company the per gallon price and any trip fee.
- Ask your utility about sewer credits.
- Check your water rate tiers.
- Budget startup chemicals separately.
- Know your gallons before calling.
Ways to pay less
- Use a hose if you have time.
- Call your utility about sewer credits.
- Fill off peak if your city charges by season.
- Cover the pool to cut top off water later.
What will this cost me?
Pick the job, your state's cost level and the last detail. The estimate updates as you change them.
An estimate built from published 2026 cost guides. It is not a quote. Get a written quote before work starts.
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Book a free 15 minute callNo pitch deck. We run your audit live on the call.Common questions
How much does it cost to fill a pool?
About $60 to $1,250, around $180 for most pools in Angi's figures.
How much does it cost to fill a pool with a hose?
About $4 to $10 per 1,000 gallons of city water.
How much does a water truck cost to fill a pool?
About $30 to $100 per 1,000 gallons.
Will my sewer bill go up?
It can. Ask your utility about a sewer credit for pool fills.
Other jobs and rates
Photo: Kgbo, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped.