3 Major Types of Contaminated Water

4/23/2018 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO of Central Union, we take the necessary measures to identify contaminated water associated with water losses in your home. There are three major types of contaminated water.

Category 1- Clean Water

Clean water is water that you can drink safely and contains no contaminants or additives. This water can come from your faucet or shower head and is also considered rain water or snow melt. When it comes to water damage in your home, this type of water can come from broken supply lines, tub or sink overflows with no contaminants, appliance malfunctions involving water supply lines, melting ice or snow, falling rainwater, broken toilet tanks, etc. While clean water flooding your basement or floors may not cause an immediate health risk, it can quickly evolve into gray water after prolonged contact with building surfaces, material, and items            

Category 2- Gray Water

Gray water is water that may contain chemicals or contaminants that may be harmful to your health. This type of water can come from dishwashers, washing machines (water mixed with laundry detergent), overflows from toilet bowls with some urine (no feces), sump pump failures, seepage due to hydrostatic pressure, broken aquariums, punctured water beds, etc. Gray water can cause even more damage than clean water and can evolve into black water within 48 hours causing even further damage and health risks. 

Category 3- Black Water

Black water is water from sewage or other contaminated water sources including toilet backflows that originate beyond the trap, flooding from seawater, ground surface water and rising water from rivers or streams, etc. Black water can contain all types of harmful contaminants like bacteria, mold, fungi and viruses that can be extremely harmful to humans.

Source: www.IICRC.org