Unbeknownst to the present homeowners, the septic tank system of their home was equipped with a dry well, rather than a conventional leach field. The dry well was about 3-feet in diameter and 25-feet deep. This type of disposal facility had been permitted until approximately 1970 by the local building officials. The top of the dry well was covered with a concrete cap, which deteriorated over time. When the six-year old child of a neighbor walked on the concrete cap, it collapsed. The child fell into the dry well and drowned.