Objective To investigate the clearance period and the hygienic status of the cistern of secondary water supply of Dongshan District in Guangzhou. Methods Altogether 112 secondary water supply cisterns in Dongshan District were surveyed with a questionnaire and the water quality of these cisterns was tested and evaluated simultaneously. Results About 33% cisterns had their covers locked.The rate of the dustproof net in the cover hole,the water gap and the air hole of the cisterns were 35.3%,33.9% and 32.1% respectively;but no cisterns applied the sanitation license.The eligibility rate of water in all 112 cisterns was 64.3%. Conclusion There is no standard management to the residential cisterns in this district.It is necessary to make a policy for the standardized management of the cisterns.