A collecting pit for receiving molten metal and draining cooling water. The collecting pit (1) is equipped with a drainage layer (5, 6) formed of slag granulate, the grains of the slag granulate being interconnected by means of a binder while maintaining small channels present between these grains. The drainage layer mass also may contain thermally expanding silicic acid. The binder of the drainage layer mass may be a water-activatable heat-resistant binder containing cement, e.g. high-alumina cement. The drainage layer material exhibits a good permeability for water and vapor over a long period of time. Preferably, the drainage structure, in the bottom region of the collecting pit (1), includes a drainage layer (5) formed of slag granulate and binder and of supporting bottom plates (8), a continuous aeration space (13) being provided below the bottom plates (8) and, furthermore, wall plates (16) being attached to the side walls of the collecting pit and a continuous aeration space (17) being formed also between the wall plates (16) and the pit wall (15).
