The Dangers of Category 3 'Black Water' Sewage Backups | Rhino Restoration
Category 3 'black water' from sewage backups is the most dangerous type of water damage. It contains bacteria, viruses, fungi, and in some cases parasites.
What Makes Black Water Dangerous
Contact with black water — even brief skin contact — carries real health risks including E. coli, hepatitis A, and norovirus.
Why DIY Cleanup Is Dangerous
Common household cleaning products cannot eliminate the pathogens present in sewage. OSHA and the EPA require that sewage cleanup be handled by trained technicians wearing appropriate PPE.
The Professional Process
Rhino Restoration's Category 3 cleanup includes: complete removal of all porous materials that cannot be sanitized, application of EPA-registered antimicrobial agents, HEPA air scrubbing, and independent clearance testing.
Do not attempt to clean up sewage yourself. Call Rhino Restoration at 210-405-6886 immediately — we dispatch biohazard-trained crews 24/7.