Ind. Admin. Code tit. 410, r. 6-8.3-57 – Separation distances

Sec. 57. (a) All septic tanks, dosing tanks, lift stations, and soil absorption systems shall be located in accordance with Table I as follows:

Table I Separation Distances
Minimum Distance in Feet from	Septic Tank and Other Treatment Units, Dosing Tank, Lift Station	Soil Absorption System
Private water supply well^1,2	50	50
Private geothermal well^1,2	50	50
Commercial water supply well¹	100	100
Commercial geothermal well¹	100	100
Public water supply well, lake,^{1, 3, 4} or reservoir^{1, 3, 4}	200	200
Other pond, retention pond, lake, or reservoir³	50	50
Stormwater detention area^{3, 5}	25	25
River, stream, ditch, or drainage tile⁶	25	25
Buildings, foundations, slabs, garages, patios, barns, aboveground and belowground swimming pools, retaining walls, closed loop geothermal systems, roads, driveways, parking areas, or paved sidewalks	10⁷	10⁸
Front, side, or rear lot lines	5	5
Water lines continually under pressure	10	10
Suction water lines	50	50
Sinkhole	25	25
¹ The distances enumerated shall be doubled for soil absorption systems constructed where there exist horizons, layers, or strata within thirty-four (34) inches of the ground surface with a soil loading rate greater than seventy-five hundredths (0.75) gallons per day per square foot as determined from Table IV of section 70(b)(8) of this rule, unless that hazard can be overcome through on-site sewage system design.
² The separation distance to a private water supply well abandoned in accordance with 312 IAC 13-10-2(e) may be reduced to ten (10) feet.
³ Measured from the normal or ordinary high water mark.
⁴ See subsections (b) and (c).
⁵ Stormwater detention area: area designated for the temporary detention of stormwater, with the outlet located at the lowest elevation of the depression.
⁶ See section 59(f) of this rule for subsurface drainage system separation.
⁷ Patios without footers, aboveground swimming pools, and sidewalks may be located within ten (10) feet of a septic tank, as long as no required access points are obstructed.
⁸ A minimum separation of ten (10) feet is required on all sites.

(b) A residential on-site sewage system shall not be located within two hundred (200) feet of a public water supply lake or reservoir. However, a residential on-site sewage system that includes secondary treatment may be less than two hundred (200) feet, but not less than fifty (50) feet, from the normal or ordinary high water mark of the lake or reservoir if it:

(1) meets the minimum requirements of section 60(h)(1) through 60(h)(3) of this rule; or
(2) is a system component independent of the soil absorption field that meets the effluent quality requirements of NSF/ANSI for certification under Standard 40 as a Class I plant, and that is approved by the department under the provisions of section 52(h) of this rule.

(c) A residential on-site sewage system approved under the provisions of subsection (b) must be maintained for the life of the system through an operating permit issued under the provisions of section 54 of this rule.

(d) Sewers shall not be located within fifty (50) feet of a water supply well or subsurface pump suction line, except as follows:

(1) Sewers constructed of waterworks grade ductile iron pipe with tyton or mechanical joints, or PVC pressure sewer pipe with an SDR rating of twenty-six (26) or less with compression gasket joints, may be located within the fifty (50) foot distance.
(2) In no case shall sewers be located closer than twenty (20) feet to dug and bored water supply wells, or closer than ten (10) feet to drilled and driven water supply wells or subsurface pump suction lines.

(e) Water lines and sewers shall not be laid in the same trench, as follows:

(1) A horizontal separation of ten (10) feet shall be maintained between water lines and sewers.
(2) Where crossings are necessary, a minimum of eighteen (18) inches vertical clearance must be maintained with the water line positioned above the sewer line when possible.
(3) When it is impossible to maintain proper horizontal and vertical separation, the sewer shall be constructed of ductile iron pipe with mechanical joints or PVC pressure sewer pipe with an SDR rating of twenty-six (26) or less, having mechanical or compression gasket joints within ten (10) feet of the water line with the water line positioned above the sewer line when possible. The sewer shall be pressure tested to assure watertightness prior to back filling.

(Indiana Department of Health; 410 IAC 6-8.3-57; filed Oct 19, 2012, 2:06 p.m.: 20121114-IR-410120156FRA; filed Apr 9, 2014, 9:51 a.m.: 20140507-IR-410130350FRA; readopted filed Sep 26, 2018, 2:48 p.m.: 20181024-IR-410180328RFA; filed Feb 27, 2024, 10:34 a.m.: 20240327-IR-410220395FRA; readopted filed Nov 14, 2024, 1:24 p.m.: 20241211-IR-410230798RFA)