What distance is required between a well and a POWTS dispersal component with a design capacity of less than 12,000 gallons per day, a cemetery, or a storm water retention or detention pond?

• A. 200 feet
• B. 400 feet
• C. 600 feet
• D. 800 feet

Answer: (B)

Setback distances protect wells from contamination by nearby wastewater or surface influences. For a well and a POWTS dispersal component with a design capacity under 12,000 gallons per day, the required distance is four hundred feet. The same 400-foot minimum applies to a cemetery and to a storm water retention or detention pond because these features can introduce contaminants into groundwater through seepage, decay, or runoff. Maintaining this distance helps ensure that any leachate or other contaminants from the dispersal system, cemetery activities, or stormwater pond do not reach the well and compromise drinking water. Larger or different types of systems may require greater setbacks, but four hundred feet is the standard minimum for these scenarios.