What is the minimum distance sanitary and storm sewers should be from a well?

The minimum distance between sanitary and storm sewers and a well is 50 feet. This standard is established to protect the drinking water supply from potential contamination. Sewers can carry pollutants, pathogens, and other harmful substances, and if they are too close to a well, there is a risk that these contaminants could enter the well water, compromising its safety for human consumption.

Setting this distance at 50 feet allows for a buffer zone that helps mitigate the risk of soil or groundwater contamination from the sewers reaching the well. This practice is guided by public health considerations and is a common regulation in many jurisdictions to ensure safe drinking water standards are maintained. Regulatory bodies typically recommend such distances based on hydrology, soil characteristics, and the potential for exposure to contaminants.