Contaminated Water Categories

9/8/2022 (Permalink)

Do you know the contaminated water categories?

If you are a home or business owner, you have most likely been affected by some sort of water damage. Depending on the source of the damage, that water may be contaminated and require extra safety precautions. The most common types of water contaminants are:

• Sewage
• Food residue
• Grease or oils
• Bodily waste
• Cleaning solutions such as chemicals or bleach

At SERVPRO, we use an expert led system to categorize water. Our team of experts know the correct way to determine the water contamination category by finding out the source, talking with the property owner, and observing the contaminated water.

Category 1: Clean Water

A Category 1 type of water loss is normally caused from a faucet overflow, household appliance malfunction, or broken water supply line. Although typically not harmful, it is important to call your local water restoration company as soon as possible to clean up the damage. If the water sits for too long, the environmental conditions can worsen the water contamination to a Category 2 or 3. 

Category 2: Gray Water

Sources that can cause a Category 2 contamination are broken sump pumps, appliance discharge, or toilet water mixed with urination. Proceed with caution during these water losses. Bacteria and mold growth happen rapidly during this type of a water loss and can quickly turn into a Category 3 if not taken care of in a timely fashion.

Category 3: Black Water

Category 3 is the worst kind of water contamination. This type of contamination is normally sourced from sewage backup containing human or animal waste. It can also be sourced from rivers, streams, and oceans, where bacteria and unsanitary chemicals are often found. Call a water cleanup service immediately after finding this type of water loss!