Black VS Gray Water

12/2/2020 (Permalink)

water black verses gray picture

Water Damage

Black VS Gray Water

12/2/2020

Every single day we use water, it is the most important thing for man and all living things to survive. Most water is collected as waste-water. Our daily activities and chores that involve using water, produce waste-water which is collected in tanks. Waste-water has two categories, black water and gray water. These two different kinds of waste-water must be kept in separate tanks because they each have different levels of contamination and are treated differently.

Black water is waste-water from toilets and bathrooms that include fecal matter and urine. Also known as sewage or brown water, it can carry disease causing bacteria that are harmful to anyone who encounters it (Also considered Category 3). Black water can also be referred to as flood water that generally comes from overflowing bodies of water as a result of heavy rain, hurricanes, tsunamis or typhoons that combine with sewage water that can overloaded with bacteria. Recycled black water is only used as fertilizer, it must be processed and decomposed accurately to destroy the bacteria.

Gray water is waste-water that comes from sinks, washing machines, and bathtubs (also known as Category 2 water). It doesn’t have as many contaminants as black-water and is easier to treat. Recycled gray water can be used for irrigation and in constructed wetlands. If the gray water is from the sink, food particles from it can help nourish plants. Recycled gray water is very useful when it comes to times of drought when water is scarce.

Never drink gray water or black water, if you have an issue with either one, you will need to have it addressed to fix it right away. If gray water goes untreated, it can turn to black water within 48 to 72 hours.

Call us anytime for assistance at 208-457-1234. SERVPRO of Coeur d'Alene is here to help!