Three Florida residents, along with their dog, recently lost their lives after falling into an open water cistern in a Texas cornfield, underscoring the critical importance of securely covering septic tanks, cisterns and similar structures.

The incident occurred near Austin, Texas, where the cistern, roughly 4 feet wide and containing about 8 feet of water, emitted high levels of deadly hydrogen sulfide gas. Bastrop County Sheriff Maurice Cook indicated that one of the victims attempted to rescue their bloodhound, which had fallen into the cistern, leading to a tragic chain reaction as the other two individuals tried to help.

Disturbingly, this cistern sat uncovered in a cornfield, a hazard waiting to unfold. The victims were identified as Delvys Garcia, 37; Denise Martinez, 26; and Noel Vigil-Benitez, 45.

Professional septic pumpers are well aware of the dangers lurking in such tanks, but this tragedy serves as a sharp reminder of the broader implications. An uncapped or uncovered tank or cistern isn't just a hazard for professionals, but for the public at large. It emphasizes the need for vigilance in ensuring that such potential hazards are made safe, even if located in remote or unexpected areas.

The incident investigation is still underway, including property ownership determination. However, the central message remains clear: open cisterns, tanks and other structures pose life-threatening dangers, and ensuring they're securely covered is paramount for public safety.

Let this be a wake-up call for those in the septic industry: Safety should always be at the forefront.