Understanding Black Water Risks

12/22/2021 (Permalink)

Floodwater from rivers, streams and sewage are considered black water.

If you own a business that experienced flooding, you’ve probably heard of the term black water. Alongside water damage, it is one of the highest risks poses by flooding. But just what is it about this mucky water that makes it so dangerous? And how does a business owner in Malabar, FL, go about cleaning it up if it’s so unsafe? Read on to learn more about what makes the water a threat and what you can do about it.

Defined

Considered a serious health threat against humans and animals, this water refers mostly to pathogen-rich wastewater from toilets. It often contains feces, urine, water and other contaminants. Sewage also is considered black, as is flood water from rivers, streams and ground surface water flowing horizontally into homes. Risks from this water come from:

• Ingesting contaminated water
• Inhaling contaminated water droplets
• Getting contaminated water on broken skin

Dangers

Besides water damage, disease and illness are the biggest threats posed by this water. Those can include hepatitis, cryptosporidiosis, gastroenteritis and wound infections to name just a few. These largely gastrointestinal conditions can result in stomach upset, diarrhea and life-threatening bacterial infections in some instances.

Eliminating

The threats of soiled water make it too dangerous to clean up on your own, no matter how little there is. Instead, remediation must be left to the professionals. The sooner the water can be removed and the building dried, the better. A professional water remediation firm will use multiple methods to clear this dangerous substance. Those may include water extraction, antimicrobial treatments, mold remediation, carpet cleaning and more.

Black water is one of the most threatening parts of a building flood. Don’t try to take this dangerous water on by yourself. Find a specialist in professional water damage clean-up and treatment to get rid of your contaminated water problem.