What does the safe distance between a well and a waste disposal system depend on?

The safe distance between a well and a waste disposal system is primarily influenced by chemical processes, biological processes, and physical processes. These processes determine how contaminants can migrate through the environment.

Chemical processes reveal how substances interact and transform in different conditions, which informs the degree of potential contamination from the waste disposal system to the well. Biological processes indicate how microorganisms may affect the degradation of contaminants and their movement. Physical processes, such as groundwater flow and soil permeability, play a crucial role in determining how quickly and easily contaminants can travel through soil and reach the well.

Maintaining an adequate distance based on these processes helps to minimize the risk of groundwater contamination, ensuring that the water drawn from the well remains safe for consumption. Thus, understanding these processes is vital in establishing appropriate safety distances to protect water quality.