A field study was conducted at a residence in Chesapeake, Virginia to determine the effect of setback distances from a drainage ditch on the disposal of septic tank effluent. The study was done from September 1979 to August 1981. The soil used is the Tomotley series belonging to the fine-loamy, mixed, thermic family of Typic Ochraquults. Four prototype trenches were installed at 1.5, 3, 6 and 21 m from the edge of a drainage ditch which was 1.5 m deep. The trenches were pressure dosed equally with 2.4 to 4 cm per day. Replicated nests of sampling wells at depths 90, 150 and 300 cm were placed with distance from the trenches. Continuous stage recorders were positioned 4.5, 29.1 and 60 m from the ditch to monitor water table behavior. Groundwater analysis included fecal coliforms, the NH₄, NO₃, NO₂, Na, Ca, Mg, Cl and PO₄ ions, pH and EC. Ammonium concentrations in the soil beneath the trenches indicated nonuniform effluent infiltration yet more uniform than with conventional gravity flow distribution. High sodium absorption ratios of the septic tank effluent ranging from 18 to 45 did not significantly reduce infiltration rates as no ponding of effluent in the trenches was observed. The existing land surface was sloped greater than the water table gradient resulting in decreasing unsaturated depths with closeness to the ditch. The mean distances between the trench bottom and the water table were 64 cm at 3 m, 80.1 at 6 m and 90.4 cm at 21 m. The accumulation of fecal coliforms, NH₄, P, Cl and total salts (EC) in the groundwaters at 120 to 150 cm depth was inversely proportional to the mean distances from the trench bottoms to the water table. The lack of denitrification occurring underneath the trench with the most extensive unsaturated zone suggests NO₃ may accumulate under disposal systems that have mean unsaturated depths of ≥ 90 cm. Effluent movement was mainly lateral and in the upper zone of the water table with limited vertical movement below the water table surface. An equation applying D-F theory to infinitely deep soil was developed to describe flow for the given drainage system and for the inclusion of standard size drain fields. The current practical setback distance of 21 m is considered counterproductive for effluent treatment for some situations. / Ph. D.