Types of Water Contamination

6/21/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO cleans sewage backups, too! Here is what qualifies for each category of contaminated water.

Sewer backups ARE an emergency. Water from these systems may contain many bacteria, microbes, or viruses. It is important to get the qualified help you need to tackle these issues safely with the proper equipment. There are three classifications for water contamination, and when working with SERVPRO we properly classify these types in order to provide you with the service that you need.

Clean Water: This is most commonly found from a clean source of water, such as a leaky faucet, water main, or supply line. Water damage is water damage, so even though this water is drinkable water, it still does damage to your home and needs to be taken care of accordingly.

Gray Water: This is “relatively clean” water that has been used in some capacity by a washing machine, shower, or sink. This category includes water with some urine but no feces, from a toilet overflow. This water can still contain bacteria or viruses, and can quickly turn into “category 3: black water” if untreated. Contact with this type of water should be avoided.

Black Water: Most contaminated type of water, this is sewage. This type of water can cause severe illness if ingested. Contact with this type of water should be avoided. Black water can also be from flooding rivers or streams, as this water has never been filtered from the environment and may still contain microbes, bacteria, or viruses.

If you have a clean water, gray water, or black water loss event, call SERVPRO of North Highlands and Rio Linda to get professional help with your water restoration needs. (916)-991-1522, or visit our website.