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Well and Cistern Safety for Children

An old well or cistern can look like nothing more than a flat lid in the grass. For a small child, an uncovered or weak cover can be a serious danger.

Why are wells and cisterns a hazard?

Open or poorly covered wells, cisterns and similar openings can be deep, dark and hard to see, and a child can fall in quickly. Rescue in these spaces is difficult and belongs to trained responders.

Old and abandoned wells are a particular concern, because they may be forgotten, hidden by grass or covered by rotted boards.

Check official sources, such as your state environmental or health agency and the CDC, for current information on wells. A cover that was safe years ago may not be now. Rot, rust, frost and heavy traffic wear covers down, and what looks sturdy can fail under a small weight.

How do I find all the openings on my property?

Walk the property slowly and look for pipes, lids, boards, concrete slabs, depressions and old pump houses. Ask family members and neighbors, and check old maps or records for the history of the property.

If you have just bought land, ask the previous owner and check with your county health or environmental office about known wells.

Do not stand on or lean on covers you are unsure of. If you find a hazard you cannot fix at once, block it off with a temporary barrier and tell everyone, then arrange a permanent solution quickly.

• Walk the property and look for covers and depressions
• Ask family, neighbors and previous owners
• Check old maps and records
• Ask the county about known wells

How should wells and cisterns be covered?

Covers should be strong, secure and tight enough that a child cannot lift or break them. Get specific requirements from your state or county agency that regulates wells, or a licensed professional. Do not improvise with loose boards or sheet metal.

Keep covers in good repair, and check them each season, after storms and after any digging or heavy equipment use nearby.

Locks or secured fasteners add protection. Ask a licensed well contractor or your county office what they would inspect and what documents you should keep about your well's history.

What about abandoned wells?

Unused wells should be properly closed, a process that is regulated in many places and usually carried out by a licensed professional. Do not attempt to fill a well yourself with debris.

Contact your state agency or county health or environmental office for rules, guidance and any programs that help with costs. Costs and programs vary, so ask the agency.

Until a well is properly closed, make sure it is covered and fenced. Be careful when mowing or driving near old wells. Keep the area marked, so that equipment and children stay away.

What about water quality?

Wells and cisterns also affect health through water quality. Ask your county health department about testing and how often to do it, especially for young children, pregnant women and anyone with a health concern.

Check the CDC and your state health agency for official guidance. Keep records of testing and maintenance.

If you notice a change in taste, smell or color, ask the health department what to do. Private wells are often the owner's responsibility to test, so ask your health department what to test for and how often, and keep results with your property records.

What should children be taught?

Teach children that wells, cisterns and any covered openings are not for playing on or near. Explain that covers can look solid and not be, and that they should tell an adult about any open hole or broken cover.

Keep play areas away from wells and cisterns, and fence them when possible.

Remind visiting children, who may not know where the hazards are. Include cisterns, cellar holes, old septic tanks and sinkholes in your list of hidden hazards, since they present the same kind of risk.

What if a child may have fallen in?

Call 911 immediately and tell the dispatcher what happened and where. Do not climb in or lower anyone, and do not try improvised rescue. Trained responders have equipment and training for these situations.

Stay on the line, keep other people back from the opening, and send someone to meet responders.

Ask your local fire department whether it would walk through your property in advance, so responders know where wells are. A visit from local responders also helps your family learn how to describe your location clearly, which can save time in any emergency.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.