Georgia Septic Installer Practice Test

How far must a privy be located from a well or spring?

1. 50 feet

2. 75 feet

3. 100 feet

4. 150 feet

The correct answer is: 100 feet

The correct distance for locating a privy away from a well or spring is 100 feet. This requirement is essential for protecting water sources from potential contamination. Privies, which are essentially outhouses, are sanitary facilities that can harbor bacteria and other pathogens. If they are situated too close to a well or spring, there is a risk that contamination could seep into the groundwater or surface water, posing serious health hazards to individuals relying on those water sources for drinking or other domestic purposes. The 100-foot distance is based on accepted public health standards and is designed to create a buffer zone that minimizes the risk of microbial contamination. By maintaining this distance, it helps to ensure that safe drinking water is accessible and that public health is prioritized. Lesser distances, such as the options of 50 feet, 75 feet, or 150 feet, do not align with these health standards and regulations, as they do not provide adequate protection against potential contamination from the privy to the well or spring.