Septic System Component Clearance Distances (in feet) from Wells, Buildings, & Other Site Features

Site Feature /
Component

Sewer
Line
Authority

More Information

Septic Tank
EPA

SEPTIC DBOX

General

SEPTIC TANK
LOCATION

Drainfield

Lagoon

FL

MO

SEPTIC
DRAINFIELD
LOCATION

General

.
MA Title 5

NY

UPC
SEPTIC
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS

LAGOON MASSACHUSETTS
SEPTIC
TITLE 5

Cistern

25 ft

CISTERNS

Drainfield, Soakbed, Soil

Absorption System above
high groundwater (water
table)

4 ft

SEPTIC
DRAINFIELD
SHAPE

Drainfield, Soil
Absorption Sys. Minimum
Area

150

Drainfield, SAS Other exc

repair area

20 ft

Embankment top or
Cuts >= 2ft hgt

20 ft

Intercept drain up-slope

10 ft

Intercept drain
down-slope

25 ft

Lake, high water line

75 ft

Neighboring residence

200 ft

Property Line

5 ft
10-MO

10

75

Septic Tank cover soil

6"-?"

12"-24"

NEIGHBORING
SEPTIC SYSTEM
PROBLEMS
-

backfill
min" - max"
Surficial Sinkhole Edges

500

Spring

50-MO

100

Streams

50

25

50

50

10 ft
5-MO
15-bsmtMO

5 ft

100 ft

8 ft

10 ft

Swimming Pool

15-MO

100

SEPTIC to POOL
DISTANCE

Trees, large

10

PLANTS & TREES

OVER SEPTIC
SYSTEMS

Water supply piping

10

10

10

Water Supply Piping

under suction

10

100

50

50

75

100

50

200

300

100 ?

WELL
CLEARANCE
DISTANCES

50

Structures to Tank/SAS
Structures to Sewer Line

Water well, Private

[Potable water]
Water well, Public
Water well
[Non-Potable water]

2 ft

50

WETLAND
SEPTIC
SYSTEMS

WELL LOCATION,
HOW TO FIND

Cesspool Clearances and Specifications

Cesspools min. freeboard

6"

CESSPOOLS

Minimum volume

1/2
day

Separation from Surface

Water Supply

100

Separation from private

well

50

Separation from private

well, bad sample

50100

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