What is the minimum separation distance between a water well and a swimming pool in-ground?

What is the minimum separation distance between a water well and a swimming pool in-ground?

• A. 5 feet
• B. 15 feet
• C. 25 feet
• D. 50 feet

Answer: (B)

The key idea is to protect a drinking-water well from contamination by sources of pool water and chemicals that could migrate through the soil into the groundwater. An in-ground pool can generate backwash, drainage, or splashed water containing chlorine and other chemicals. If the pool is too close to the well, these contaminants have a shorter path to reach the groundwater that the well draws from. The minimum separation distance is 15 feet. This buffer helps reduce the risk by giving soil time and distance to attenuate any contaminants and by limiting the direct transport of pool drainage toward the well. If the pool were closer, additional safeguards—such as directing drainage away from the well or installing protective barriers—would be needed to maintain water quality.

The key idea is to protect a drinking-water well from contamination by sources of pool water and chemicals that could migrate through the soil into the groundwater. An in-ground pool can generate backwash, drainage, or splashed water containing chlorine and other chemicals. If the pool is too close to the well, these contaminants have a shorter path to reach the groundwater that the well draws from.

The minimum separation distance is 15 feet. This buffer helps reduce the risk by giving soil time and distance to attenuate any contaminants and by limiting the direct transport of pool drainage toward the well. If the pool were closer, additional safeguards—such as directing drainage away from the well or installing protective barriers—would be needed to maintain water quality.