Underground fuel tanks and septic drainage must be at least ____ feet from a public well.

Underground fuel tanks and septic drainage must be at least ____ feet from a public well.

• A. 50
• B. 100
• C. 200
• D. 150

Answer: (D)

Maintaining a safe separation between underground fuel tanks or septic drainage and a public well protects drinking water from contamination carried by groundwater. Fuel leaks and septic effluent can migrate through soil and groundwater; the farther the source is from the well, the lower the chance that contaminants will reach the water supply before treatment or dilution. A distance of 150 feet provides a practical buffer to reduce this risk while still allowing reasonable site planning. The other distances are either too small to offer adequate protection in many conditions or more conservative than the standard expectation in this context. Therefore, 150 feet is the correct minimum separation.

Maintaining a safe separation between underground fuel tanks or septic drainage and a public well protects drinking water from contamination carried by groundwater. Fuel leaks and septic effluent can migrate through soil and groundwater; the farther the source is from the well, the lower the chance that contaminants will reach the water supply before treatment or dilution. A distance of 150 feet provides a practical buffer to reduce this risk while still allowing reasonable site planning. The other distances are either too small to offer adequate protection in many conditions or more conservative than the standard expectation in this context. Therefore, 150 feet is the correct minimum separation.