Three Types of Contaminated Water

11/7/2022 (Permalink)

There are three types or categories of water: clean water, contaminated water, and sewer/flood water.

Three Types of Contaminated Water

There are three types or categories of water: clean water, contaminated water, and sewer/flood water. They each fall into categories, (1, 2, and 3 respectively). Each is unique in the source and the way in which it needs to be mitigated.

Clean Water (Category 1)

Clean water is from a clean source and is not contaminated. It can be used for drinking, bathing, and laundry. Clean water is usually clear and odorless. This kind of water can come from an overflowing bathtub or something similar. This type of water does not require any sort of special care outside of the normal mitigation process.

Contaminated Water (Category 2)

A contaminated water supply is usually caused by a break in the system when your water supply is interrupted. Leaking or burst pipes can also contaminate your water supply, as well as overflowing toilets and broken washing machines.

Contaminated or unclean water should not be consumed or used for any purpose. Contaminated or unclean waters include sewage-contaminated floodwaters, greywater (like from a bathroom sink), gray water (like from the washing machine), toilet bowl cleaner, and toilet bowl cleaner residue on your hands after using it to clean the toilet bowl with a rag or paper towel, melted snow/ice and other types of contaminated tap water due to chemical spills like oil spills in rivers/lakes/oceans, etc., storm drains overflow with heavy rains during floods as well as vehicles that have been submerged under floodwaters before help arrives at their location (for example Houston Hurricane Harvey 2017).

Sewer or Floodwater (Category 3)

Sewer or floodwater is the most dangerous type of contaminated water because it can contain bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Sewer or floodwater may also be contaminated by chemicals such as oil and grease.

Sewage systems are a major source of sewer or flood damage in homes. Sewer systems typically include pipes that carry waste away from toilets and sinks. These pipes can break if they're old or damaged by freezing temperatures, causing sewage to leak into your home's structure through cracks in walls and floors.

If you think your home has been flooded with sewage or another type of waste product like industrial chemicals from an accident on-site at work, call 911 immediately so emergency responders can help you get to safety before entering the area again. Also, give SERVPRO of Lake Mary/Heathrow a call for water damage restoration.

If you need to know more about water damage, then you can contact SERVPRO of Lake Mary/Heathrow. We have a team of experts who are always ready to help you out with any kind of water damage in your home or business.