Is All Water The Same?

10/20/2020 (Permalink)

Category 3 Water

In the mitigation industry, water is classified in three different ways: Category 1: Clean Water; Category 2: Gray Water; & Category 3: Black Water.

Category 1 Water refers to a source of water that does not pose a substantial threat to humans and is classified as "Clean Water." Examples would be water from a burst water supply line, malfunctioning dishwasher, etc...

Category 2 Water is known as Gray Water and contains some type of contaminant. Examples would be discharge from dishwashers, broken aquarium or overflow from a toilet with urine, but no feces.

Category 3 Water is known as Black Water and contains contaminants and considered unsanitary. Examples would be sewage back-up, toilet overflow with feces, etc...

The categories are important as they determine the level of clean-up and mitigation. A carpet that got wet from Category 1 Water can be dried, cleaned up and reinstalled. That same carpet that is wet from Category 3 Water must be disposed of due to the contaminants and the health hazards Category 3 water presents.

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry are experts in the water mitigation industry and are open 24/7/365 to serve you. We'll make it "Like it never even happened."