HOW FAR SHOULD PRIVATE WATER WELLS BE SITED FROM SEPTIC TANKS AND FIELD LINES?

Most rural homes use some type of septic system to treat household wastewater. These systems generally are economical and effective in treating these wastes. However, your septic system must be properly designed, installed, and maintained to reduce possible harmful impacts to the groundwater that supplies your drinking water, your neighbors' drinking water, or to surface waters such as a nearby stream.

Although a well-functioning septic system poses little risk to drinking water, a poorly operating system is a potential source of disease-causing bacteria, viruses, household chemicals, and nitrates. If significant amounts of any of these enter drinking water, they could produce health problems for you, your family, your pets and livestock, or your neighbors. A properly designed and functioning septic system breaks down harmful bacteria. In some cases, local conditions may keep a septic system from performing as designed.

For example, liquid in the septic system may flow to an area where water frequently pools near the surface, or the soil under the septic drain field may drain poorly. If this happens, the system may not completely treat wastewater and you may unknowingly "recycle" poorly treated wastewater into your home with your drinking water.

To avoid problems, install your septic system in an approved location and maintain it properly. Install a new or replacement septic system in well-drained sandy soil and as far as possible from your well. Pump out your septic tank regularly to keep it working smoothly and extend the life of the system. Your septic system will work better and need less maintenance if you reduce the amount of wastewater and solids, such as food wastes, paper towels, and other wastes, entering the system. Throw away these solid wastes in your household garbage.

To protect your drinking water quality, locate your septic system and all potential contamination sources as far as possible from your well. Many State Departments of Health requires that new septic tanks or human-waste lagoons be installed at least 50 feet from a well. Septic tank drain fields must be at least 100 feet from a well. Although an existing septic system closer to a well may be safe, it is important to maintain these systems properly. State health laws also require all household wastewater, including sink, tub, shower, and wash water, to enter the septic system. Discharging household wastewater off your property violates state health laws. Before installing a new septic system, check with your county health department for any additional requirements.

Remember, if significant amounts of any of these enter drinking water, they could produce health problems for you, your family, your pets and livestock, or your neighbors. As a general guidance, personal drinking water wells should have a minimum horizontal distance of 50 to 100 feet from such potential sources of groundwater contamination.