Location and Distances from Contaminants

It's a general rule of thumb that the further away potential contaminants are from your well, the safer your well. Contaminants can be anything from a flower garden that receives chemical fertilizers, wildlife, roadways, nearby farms or a host of other sources. It is very important that you locate your well upslope to ensure surface water is not able to carry a contaminant directly to your well.

Wells must be located a safe distance from potential sources of contamination such as fuel storage tanks, stockpiles of chemicals like pesticides or road salt, septic systems, gardens, manure piles, livestock, and roads and driveways. The following show minimum required distances in Newfoundland and Labrador between wells and possible contaminants:

Drilled wells:

• 15 m from septic tank systems
• 30 m from cesspools of sewage
• 1 m from pumphouse floor drains
• 2 m from buildings
• 75 m from manure spreadings on agriculture fields

Dug wells:

• 15 m from septic tanks
• 30 m from septic fields
• 30 m from all other potential contaminants
• 75 m from manure spreadings on agriculture fields

These minimum distances do not guarantee safety. Increase the separation wherever possible, and eliminate sources of contamination.