diff --git a/sources/sql_database/__init__.py b/sources/sql_database/__init__.py
index 8d28e3b0e..93b1a0869 100644
--- a/sources/sql_database/__init__.py
+++ b/sources/sql_database/__init__.py
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ def sql_table(
     else:
         reflection_level = reflection_level or "minimal"
 
-    engine = engine_from_credentials(credentials)
+    engine = engine_from_credentials(credentials, may_dispose_after_use=True)
     engine.execution_options(stream_results=True, max_row_buffer=2 * chunk_size)
     metadata = metadata or MetaData(schema=schema)
 
diff --git a/sources/sql_database/helpers.py b/sources/sql_database/helpers.py
index 11d0e1634..fa054cc90 100644
--- a/sources/sql_database/helpers.py
+++ b/sources/sql_database/helpers.py
@@ -218,17 +218,27 @@ def table_rows(
     loader = TableLoader(
         engine, backend, table, columns, incremental=incremental, chunk_size=chunk_size
     )
-    yield from loader.load_rows(backend_kwargs)
+    try:
+        yield from loader.load_rows(backend_kwargs)
+    finally:
+        # dispose the engine if created for this particular table
+        # NOTE: database wide engines are not disposed, not externally provided
+        if getattr(engine, "may_dispose_after_use", False):
+            engine.dispose()
 
 
 def engine_from_credentials(
-    credentials: Union[ConnectionStringCredentials, Engine, str], **backend_kwargs: Any
+    credentials: Union[ConnectionStringCredentials, Engine, str],
+    may_dispose_after_use: bool = False,
+    **backend_kwargs: Any,
 ) -> Engine:
     if isinstance(credentials, Engine):
         return credentials
     if isinstance(credentials, ConnectionStringCredentials):
         credentials = credentials.to_native_representation()
-    return create_engine(credentials, **backend_kwargs)
+    engine = create_engine(credentials, **backend_kwargs)
+    setattr(engine, "may_dispose_after_use", may_dispose_after_use)  # noqa
+    return engine
 
 
 def unwrap_json_connector_x(field: str) -> TDataItem:
diff --git a/tests/sql_database/test_arrow_helpers.py b/tests/sql_database/test_arrow_helpers.py
index 98326acca..230eb6a08 100644
--- a/tests/sql_database/test_arrow_helpers.py
+++ b/tests/sql_database/test_arrow_helpers.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ def test_row_tuples_to_arrow_unknown_types(all_unknown: bool) -> None:
     from sqlalchemy.dialects.postgresql import Range
 
     # Applies to NUMRANGE, DATERANGE, etc sql types. Sqlalchemy returns a Range dataclass
-    IntRange = Range[int]
+    IntRange = Range
 
     rows = [
         (
diff --git a/tests/sql_database/test_sql_database_source.py b/tests/sql_database/test_sql_database_source.py
index 6be5ba281..9db1cf5d6 100644
--- a/tests/sql_database/test_sql_database_source.py
+++ b/tests/sql_database/test_sql_database_source.py
@@ -32,6 +32,15 @@
 from tests.sql_database.sql_source import SQLAlchemySourceDB
 
 
+@pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
+def dispose_engines():
+    yield
+    import gc
+
+    # will collect and dispose all hanging engines
+    gc.collect()
+
+
 def make_pipeline(destination_name: str) -> dlt.Pipeline:
     return dlt.pipeline(
         pipeline_name="sql_database",
@@ -452,6 +461,7 @@ def sql_table_source() -> List[DltResource]:
     except Exception as exc:
         if isinstance(exc.__context__, NotImplementedError):
             pytest.skip("Test skipped due to: " + str(exc.__context__))
+        raise
     # half of the records loaded -1 record. end values is non inclusive
     assert data_item_length(rows) == abs(end_id - start_id)
     # check first and last id to see if order was applied