Categories of water damages are determined by the type of water involved in the water loss. 

Category 1: Often referred to as “clean” water.

            A “clean” water basis is one that does not create significant harm to people. Examples of clean water sources may includes but are not limited to: broken water supply lines, tube or sink overflows with no contaminants, appliance malfunctions involving water supply lines, melting ice or falling rainwater – not that which flows over the soil or through multiple structural components – broken toilet tanks and even toilet bowls that do not contain contaminants or additives. Once a clean water source contacts other surfaces and materials, its condition may change as it dissolves or mixes with soils and other contaminants and as time elapses.

Category 2: Often referred to as “gray” water.

            Unsanitary or “gray” water contains some degree of contamination. Potentially, it could cause substantial discomfort of sickness if consumed by humans and it carried microorganisms or nutrients for microorganisms. Category 2 water examples may include but are not limited to: discharge from dishwashers or washing machines, overflows from washing machines, overflows of toilet bowls with some urine (no feces), broken aquariums and punctured water beds. All of these may contain chemicals or biocontaminants (fungal, bacterial, viral, algae) or other forms of contamination. Time and temperature aggravate Category 2 water contamination significantly. Water in flooded structures that remains untreated longer than 48 hours can change from Category 2 to Category 3 (black)

Category 3: Often referred to as “black” water.

            Category 3 “black” water always contains pathogenic agents. Grossly unsanitary, “black” water sources are those that arise from sewage or other contaminated water entering a structure. Sewage contains the expected urine and feces; but it also could contain dangerous chemicals or medical water. Toilet backflows that originate from beyond the toilet trap are considered to be Category 3 water situation, regardless of visible content or color. This category includes all forms of sea water, ground surface water and rising water from rivers or streams. They carry silt and organic matter into structures and create Category 3 “black” water situations. In situations where structural materials and/or contents have been heavily contaminated with such materials as pesticides, heavy metals or toxic organic substances; the water damage is considered to be Category 3 water.

 What category do you think this is?