Your septic system and well both deal with your water, but the water from your septic system can be dangerous if it enters your well. In order to prevent this from happening, the water from your septic system goes through several steps of purification, by flowing through your septic system where it is treated with microorganisms in the septic tank. The wastewater then flows through the drainage field, and down through the soil and into the groundwater. To further prevent contamination your well should be placed deeper, if possible in bedrock or below a defined layer of silt or clay, and also as far away from yours and your neighbors as possible. Your septic system should also be serviced on a regular basis. The danger of contamination increases if the groundwater flows from the septic system towards the well, and if the well and/or septic is poorly constructed or maintained.
The soil the wastewater flows through can treat many contaminants, but there are some it cannot. These include medicines, some cleaning products, and other harmful chemicals. Making sure to not dispose of these through your waste system can help to ensure they do not end up in your well water.
The wastewater from your toilets, sinks, showers, and other appliances can be harmful to human health, due to the bacteria, viruses, and other nutrients that can be found in them. Due to these health risks, vigilance towards your well and septic system is important.
