Got an empty pool and need it full fast? Whether you just built it, drained it, or refilled after the off-season, you’re ready to swim, and that means getting water in there quickly.
You probably have a few questions:
- How can I fill up my pool with water?
- How much does it cost to fill a pool?
- What’s the fastest way to fill a big pool?
- What’s the cheapest way?
This guide answers all of it: the four ways to fill a pool, how long each takes by pool size, and what it costs in 2026.
And once your pool is full, we’ll point you to the easy next step, keeping the water warm so your swim season lasts.
4 ways to fill up your pool with water
There are a few ways to fill a pool. Some are faster, some are cheaper. Here’s how they compare.
1. City tap water and a garden hose
The easiest and cheapest option. All you need is a garden hose and an outdoor spigot.
Before you start, check for any water restrictions or rationing in your area. Then connect the hose and let it run. The downside is speed, a hose can take a day or two for a big pool.
2. Water delivery service
Yes, you can buy water for your pool. Bulk water delivery has become a popular way to fill a pool fast, and it’s the quickest option for most homeowners.
The big advantage: a good delivery service brings pretreated, prefiltered water, which saves you time and chemicals balancing it yourself. Choose a reputable company with real, positive reviews and treated water.
3. Well water
If you have a well with enough capacity, you can use it to fill your pool. Expect it to take 48 to 72 hours, and keep a few drawbacks in mind:
- Untreated well water can carry sulfur and excess minerals, making it harder than tap water
- It makes your well pump and water softener work harder
- Running your well dry is expensive to fix
4. Ask your local fire department
A common question: will the fire department fill my pool? Sometimes, with conditions.
Never open a fire hydrant yourself. It’s illegal in most states and dangerous. But in some areas you can call your local fire department and they may agree to fill your pool for a fee. A hydrant moves up to 1,500 gallons per minute, enough to fill a 15,000-gallon pool in about 10 minutes. Fast, but rarely available.
How to fill your pool with a garden hose
Since a garden hose and city water is the easiest and cheapest route, here’s the step by step:
- Connect a heavy-duty garden hose to the spigot closest to the pool. Use one long enough to reach comfortably
- Drop the open end into the pool
- Turn on the water
- Let it run, then check the level after the first several hours
- Keep filling until the water reaches the middle of the skimmer opening
- Turn off the water
- Add and balance your pool chemicals
- Turn on your filter pump
How long does it take to fill a pool?
It depends on your pool size and how you fill it. A garden hose moves roughly 10 gallons per minute, though a low-pressure hose can take up to twice as long. Water delivery fills most pools the same day in a few hours.
Pool size | Approx. gallons | Garden hose | Water delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
10 ft round | ~2,500 | ~4 hours | Same day |
12 ft round | ~3,400 | ~6 hours | Same day |
15 ft round | ~5,300 | ~9 hours | Same day |
18 ft round | ~7,600 | ~13 hours | Same day |
24 ft round | ~13,500 | ~22 hours | Same day |
Average inground | ~15,000 | ~25 hours | Same day |
Large inground | ~20,000 | ~33 hours | Same day |
Extra large | ~30,000 | ~50 hours | Same day |
Times are estimates. Your hose flow rate, water pressure, and pool shape all affect the total.
What is the fastest way to fill a big pool?
The fastest way to fill a big pool is a water delivery service, or a city fire hydrant. A hydrant is faster but needs special permission from your local fire department, and the rules vary by state. For most homeowners, bulk water delivery is the practical fastest option.
How much does it cost to fill a pool with water?
Two simple rules: a garden hose with city water is cheapest, and water delivery is fastest. Here’s what each runs in 2026.
By the gallon:
- City water (garden hose): about $4 to $10 per 1,000 gallons
- Water delivery: about $30 to $120 per 1,000 gallons, or roughly $200 to $600 per truckload
- Well water: effectively just the cost of running your pump and softener
- Fire department: varies, call your local department
By pool size:
Pool size | City water (hose) | Water delivery |
|---|---|---|
5,000 gallons | $20 to $50 | $150 to $600 |
10,000 gallons | $40 to $100 | $300 to $1,200 |
15,000 gallons | $60 to $150 | $450 to $1,800 |
20,000 gallons | $80 to $200 | $600 to $2,400 |
30,000 gallons | $120 to $300 | $900 to $3,600 |
These are national estimates. Your local water rates and delivery providers will set the real number. Expect your water bill to roughly double the month you fill with a hose.
What to do after you fill your pool
Once it’s full, a few steps get it swim-ready, and keep it that way:
- Balance your chemicals. Test and adjust weekly. Here’s how to balance your pool water
- Run your filter daily. New to this? Start with Pool Owner 101
- Heat and cover it. This is the step that actually extends your season. A cover cuts heat loss, and a pool heater keeps the water comfortable when the air turns cool
That last one is where most of your swim season is won or lost. If you’re thinking about it, see the cheapest ways to heat your pool and our pool heat pump comparison guide.
Ready to heat your newly filled swimming pool?
Medallion Energy handles pool heater installation across Central Florida and the United States.
Already have a heater that’s acting up?
We do pool heater repair too. We’re EPA 608 certified and licensed (CPC056806), with 30+ years of experience, and thousands of successful repairs behind us.
Every job starts with a free phone diagnosis. Call (407) 786-0000.
Frequently asked questions
How do I fill my pool with water?
The four common ways are a garden hose with city water (cheapest), a bulk water delivery service (fastest), well water if you have it, or sometimes the fire department for a fee. For most people, a hose is cheapest and delivery is fastest.
What is the cheapest way to fill a pool?
A garden hose with city tap water. It runs about $4 to $10 per 1,000 gallons, which is much cheaper than delivery. The tradeoff is time, a day or two for a large pool.
What is the fastest way to fill a pool?
A water delivery service, which fills most pools the same day. A fire hydrant is faster still, but it requires permission from your local fire department and isn’t usually available.
How long does it take to fill a pool?
With a garden hose, plan on roughly 4 hours for a small 2,500-gallon pool up to about 50 hours for a 30,000-gallon pool. Water delivery does it in a few hours the same day. Your hose flow and water pressure change the total.
How much does it cost to fill a pool with water?
City water through a hose runs about $4 to $10 per 1,000 gallons, so $60 to $150 for an average 15,000-gallon pool. Water delivery runs about $30 to $120 per 1,000 gallons, or roughly $450 to $1,800 for that same pool.
How much does pool water delivery cost?
Expect about $200 to $600 per truckload, or roughly $600 to $2,400 to fill an average 20,000-gallon pool. Prices vary by provider and location.
Will the fire department fill my pool?
Sometimes. Never open a hydrant yourself, it’s illegal in most states and dangerous. But some departments will fill a pool for a fee. Call your local department to ask.
Can I use well water to fill my pool?
Yes, if your well has the capacity. It takes 48 to 72 hours and can introduce sulfur and minerals, and it works your well pump and softener hard. Test and balance the water afterward.
How do I find pool water delivery near me?
Search “pool water delivery near me,” then pick two or three companies with strong reviews. Confirm they deliver bulk, treated, prefiltered water and can schedule quickly.