While siting a new sanitary well in a village, what is the minimum horizontal distance that must be maintained between the well and the nearest pit latrine?
- A 5 metres
- B 10 metres
- C 15 metres ✓
- D 30 metres
Correct answer: C. 15 metres
Explanation
The recommended separation between a sanitary well and a source of contamination such as a latrine, soak pit or cesspool is at least 15 metres, to prevent groundwater contamination through percolation. Ten metres is inadequate for typical soil percolation rates, and 30 metres exceeds the standard requirement, making it unnecessarily restrictive though not harmful.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
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