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North CarolinaNC Supplementmedium100% of exam part

Under NC environmental regulations, what is the minimum distance a septic system drain field must be from a private well?

Correct Answer

D) 100 feet

NC environmental regulations require a minimum 100-foot separation between septic drain fields and private wells to prevent contamination.

Answer Options
A
50 feet
B
25 feet
C
75 feet
D
100 feet

Why This Is the Correct Answer

NC environmental regulations (administered by DHHS and DEQ) require a minimum 100-foot setback between a septic system drain field and a private drinking water well. This distance is designed to prevent biological and chemical contaminants from the drain field from reaching the potable water supply before adequate soil filtration occurs.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Option A: 50 feet

Incorrect. 50 feet is only half the required minimum separation distance. At 50 feet, soil filtration may not be sufficient to remove pathogens and nitrates from septic effluent before they reach the well.

Option B: 25 feet

Incorrect. 25 feet provides minimal separation and would create a very high contamination risk. This is far below NC's required minimum of 100 feet for drain field to private well separation.

Option C: 75 feet

Incorrect. 75 feet is closer to the actual requirement but still falls short by 25 feet. NC's 100-foot minimum is a firm regulatory threshold, and 75 feet would not be compliant.

Memory Technique

100 feet = '100 yards minus 200 feet' β€” or simply remember 'a football field away keeps the well water okay.' 100 is the easiest number to remember for the most critical protection distance.

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