How far are latrines from a water source?

• A. 50 feet downstream and down gradient
• B. 100 feet downstream and down gradient
• C. 200 feet downstream and down gradient
• D. 300 feet downstream and down gradient

Answer: (B)

Preventing contamination of drinking water is the key idea. Latrines should be kept far enough away and positioned so that any waste movement tends to flow away from the water source. The commonly cited minimum distance is about 100 feet (30 meters) downstream and down gradient from the water source. Being downstream and down gradient takes advantage of gravity and natural water flow: if leakage or seepage occurs, the flow path tends to carry contaminants away from the source rather than toward it, providing a buffer that reduces the chance that pathogens reach the water supply. This distance balances safety with practicality in field settings. Distances like 50 feet are often not sufficient for protection, while 200 or 300 feet are more than needed for most scenarios and can hinder access and practicality.