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Recommended Minimum Separation Distances for Private Wells
Table 1. Minimum Separation Distances for Private Water Wells
| Potential Source of Contamination | Distance (ft.) |
|---|---|
| Drains and Sewers (also see Farm Structures) | |
| rainwater downspout; hydrant drain; independent clear water drain; building foundation drain connected to independent clear water or subsoil drain | 10 |
| building foundation drain connected to sanitary or storm sewer | 15 |
| subsoil drain; loose-jointed field tile drain | 50 |
| "sanitary or storm sewer constructed of water-works-grade ductile iron, cast iron, or PVC pipe with mechanical or push-on joints" | 25 |
| "sanitary or storm sewer not constructed of water-works-grade ductile iron, cast iron, or PVC pipe with mechanical or push-on joints" | 50 |
| sewage lift station or other sewage pump | 50 |
| Pits, Vaults, and Tanks | |
| cistern; well pit; pump pit; pressure-tank pit; subsurface pump room or reservoir | 10 |
| private residential fuel oil tank | 25 |
| septic tank; wastewater holding tank; watertight grease basin; sanitary vault privy (with a solid-wall wastewater holding tank) | 50 |
| "cesspool; dry well; seepage pit or trench; pit privy (with porous brick-, block-, or stone-lined walls)" | 100 |
| surface or subsurface tanks used to store chemicals such as gasoline, pesticides, fuel oil, and fertilizer | 100 |
| Water Bodies | |
| stream, lake, or pond shoreline; open ditch or other waterway | 25 |
| constructed wetland | 100 |
| Farm Structures | |
| animal barn with concrete floor; stable; milkhouse | 50 |
| feeding pen; livestock run; manure pile | 50 |
| conventional silo; glass-lined storage facility | 50 |
| watertight milkhouse floor drain (other than cast iron) | 50 |
| watertight sewer conveying liquid manure | 50 |
| manure holding tank | 100 |
| silage pit | 100 |
| Disposal Sites | |
| absorption field | 100 |
| wastewater absorption, storage, retention, or treatment pond | 500 |
| septage or treated sludge disposal area; ridge-and-furrow waste disposal site; spray-irrigation waste disposal site | 500 |
| Other | |
| projection from building (e.g., roof overhang)--clearance for vertical extension of well centerline | 5 |
| property line | 15 |
| below-ground swimming pool | 50 |
| uncovered salt or salt-mixture storage | 1,500 |
| residence within 2,500 feet of existing or proposed sanitary landfill--consult Indiana Dept. of Environmental Management / Office of Land Quality | ----- |
| water well terminates in creviced or highly porous formation--maintain greater separation distances than shown above | ----- |