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Online Table of Required Septic Clearances: Distances Between Septic System & Wells, Streams, Trees, etc.
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Setbacks and clearances for septic systems

Septic distances to other site features

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Septic tank and field distances to other site features: this document provides typical septic tank and field clearances. In this file a detailed septic distances table describes distance requirements between septic components (septic tank, leach field, cesspools, drywells) and other site features such as wells, water supply piping, streams, trees, property boundaries, lakes, etc. Also see Well Clearances for required distances between wells and septic systems and other site features. In general, septic effluent must be disposed of on the property from which it originates. However more strict clearances and distances than this are required between various onsite wastewater treatment system components and buildings, property boundaries, lakes, streams, wells, and so on, as detailed in the table below. Contact us with corrections or additions to this data. © Copyright 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use the links at page left to navigate this document or to go to Other Website Topics. Green links at left show where you are in our document & website.

Online Table of Required Septic - Well Clearances

This set of tables below gives distance requirements between septic components and wells, streams, trees, property boundaries, lakes, etc. Common guidelines require at least 50' clearance distance between a well and a septic system tank or 150' between a well and a septic drainfield or leaching bed but you will see that different authorities may recommend different distances. Local soil and rock conditions can make these "rules of thumb" unreliable. See "One and Two Family Dwelling Code, Section P-2510-Combined Seepage Pits and Disposal Fields," and Table P-2504, "Location of Sewage Disposal System." Other references are cited at the end of this table.

Septic System Clearances from Wells, Buildings, & Other Site Features
Min. Separation From	Septic Tank		Drainfield	Lagoon	Mass.Title 5	.	UPC	General
.	EPA	General	FL	MO	MA	NY	.	.
Structures to Tank/SAS	-	10 ft 5-MO 15-bsmt-MO	5 ft	100 ft	8 ft	-	10 ft	-
Structures to Sewer Line	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2 ft
Property line to	-	5 10-MO	10	75	5	-	-	-
Neighboring residence	-	- -	-	200	-	-	-	-
Water supply piping to	-	10	10	10	-	-	-	-
Water supply piping under suction	-	10	-	100	-	-	-	-
Non-potable water well	-	-	50	-	-	-	-	-
Water supply well	50	50	75	-	100	50	-	-
Public water well	-	-	200	300	-	100 ?	-	50
Cistern - definition	-	-	-	25	-	-	-	-
Spring	-	50-MO	-	100	-	-	-	-
Streams	-	50	-	25	50	-	-	50
Swimming Pool - see details	-	15-MO	-	100	-	-	-	-
Large Trees	-	10	-	-	?	-	-	-
High water line of lake etc	-	-	75	-	-	-	-	-
Soil Absorption System above groundwater (water table)	-	-	-	-	-	4	-	-
Soil Absorption Sys. Min Area	-	-	-	-	-	-	150	-
Tank cover soil backfill min/max	-	6"-?"	-	-	12"-24"	-	-	-
Intercept drain up-slope	-	-	-	10	-	-	-	-
Intercept drain down-slope	-	-	-	25	-	-	-	-
Edge of surficial sinkholes	-	-	-	500	-	-	-	-
Embankment top or Cuts >= 2ft hgt	-	-	-	20	-	-	-	-
Other SAS exc repair area	-	-	-	20	-	-	-	-
Cesspool Clearances and Specifications
Cesspools min. freeboard	-	-	-	-	-	6"	-	-
Minimum volume	-	-	-	-	-	1/2 day	-	-
Separation from Surface Water Supply	-	-	-	-	-	100	-	-
Separation from private well	-	-	-	-	-	50	-	-
Separation from private well, bad sample	-	-	-	-	-	50-100	-	-

TABLE NOTES:
Distances are in feet unless otherwise stated
SAS = Soil Absorption System - Leach Field etc.
Mass.Title5 = Massachusetts Title 5 Septic Code
FL = Florida septic component clearances table
MA = Massachusetts septic component clearances table
MO = Missouri septic component clearances table - Missouri distances and septic lagoon system clearances to other site features University of Missouri extension lagoon web page muextension.missouri.edu/explore/envqual/wq0402.htm
NY = New York State septic component clearances table
UPC = Uniform Plumbing Code
-1 Distance from source of pollution - proposed construction, US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, FHA, Local acceptable standard No. 3, June 18, 1992, Ref. Hud Handbook 4910.1 Chg 1, Appendix K, Pg K-27
EPA references above and for other EPA information see Well Construction and Maintenance [Details to Help Avoid Well Water Contamination] US EPA

These tables give typical required clearances for septic tank, soil absorption system (SAS), etc. but you will see that different authorities may recommend different distances. These distances are for conventional onsite waste disposal systems which specify clearances presuming that effluent is being disposed-of after minimal treatment such as is received by a septic tank or cesspool. Advanced onsite wastewater treatment systems, such as those described by Jantrania and Gross (2006), permit substantial reduction in these clearances, depending on the level of treatment achieved.

The Septic Systems Online Book - Where Are We?

This Chapter: SEPTIC CLEARANCES
Next Chapter: PUMPING FREQUENCY
First Chapter: SEPTIC SYSTEMS ONLINE BOOK

More Information About Septic Systems - Onsite Waste Disposal Design, Maintenance, Repair

Well Clearances required distances between wells and septic systems and other site features.
Inspecting Septic Systems: Inspection, Test, Diagnosis, Repair, & Maintenance: Our Online Septic Book: Septic Testing, Loading & Dye Tests, Septic Tank Pumping, Clearances, details of onsite waste disposal system inspection, testing, repair procedures.
The Septic System Information Website - Extensive, Detailed Consumer and Industry Information on Septic System Inspection, Testing, Maintenance, Alternatives for on-site waste disposal
Alternative & Advanced Designs for Septic Systems for discussion and links to (on-site waste disposal) System Designs for Problem Sites & Soils. Books, Consultants, Engineers, Designers. Alternative septic system designs can substantially reduce the normal required distances between septic system components and wells, lakes, streams, and property boundaries.

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Online Table of Required Septic Clearances: Distances Between Septic System & Wells, Streams, Trees, etc. SepticAPedia ©

Online Table of Required Septic - Well Clearances

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The Septic Systems Online Book - Where Are We?

More Information About Septic Systems - Onsite Waste Disposal Design, Maintenance, Repair

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Online Table of Required Septic Clearances: Distances Between Septic System & Wells, Streams, Trees, etc.
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