Types of Pollution from Water Damage

5/20/2022 (Permalink)

If your property has been damaged by water of any Category, SERVPRO® of Panthersville has a Team of water restoration professionals that can help!

If you’ve ever had water damage, then you’ve likely heard terms like “black water” and “clear water” to describe the damage left behind. Though the implication is that clear water is less dangerous than black water, the reality is that there are three types that can all cause their own kinds of damage to your home or business.

Water damage can be devastating and as such we’ve outlined the three types of water contamination you might come across and their descriptions.

Classifications of Water Damage

• Category 1—the first classification, “clear water,” refers to water free from contaminants that has originated from a clean source. Normally the water will be from broken water supplies or pipes, a leak in a faucet, or rainwater direct from rainfall. Though not recommended, Category 1 water should not be harmful if consumed.
• Category 2—the next level of escalation, grey water, is a bit more serious. This classification refers to wastewater generated by appliance or drain overflows, or other types of typical household water. Because this water encounters many surfaces, Category 2 water is contaminated and can cause illness if consumed.
• Category 3—the most severe of the categories, Category 3 water is commonly known as black water. This water originates from sewage overflows, rising flood waters or water that has remained stagnant and led to breeding bacteria. Category 3 water should be regarded with extreme caution due to its high levels of contamination and can cause illness or death if consumed.

Categories Might Change

The complications of water damage can become even more complicated because water that starts as one category can easily advance to another. Water that touches contaminated surfaces or soil will develop higher pollution levels and standing water can breed harmful bacteria.

Because this is impossible to determine from appearance alone, professional cleanup is essential to obtaining peace of mind and a properly restored property.