Category 3 water, often called "black water," is grossly contaminated and includes sewage from toilets, overflows, or backups containing fecal matter, bacteria, viruses, pathogens, and sometimes chemicals. It poses the highest health risk compared to Category 1 (clean water, like from a broken supply line) or Category 2 (gray water, like from washing machines). Professional handling is required due to biohazards that can cause serious illness through contact or airborne exposure. 

Sewage contains harmful bacteria (e.g., E. coli), viruses, parasites, and pathogens that can lead to infections, gastrointestinal issues, respiratory problems, or skin irritation. Even brief exposure via skin, inhalation, or ingestion is dangerous. Lingering moisture can also promote mold growth, adding allergic reactions or long-term respiratory risks. Professionals use protective gear and hospital-grade disinfectants to eliminate these threats safely. 

Regular (clean or gray) water damage focuses mainly on extraction, drying, and basic cleaning. Sewage (black water) requires extra steps: biohazard containment to prevent spreading contaminants, removal and disposal of porous materials (like drywall, carpet, or insulation) that can't be fully sanitized, specialized antimicrobial treatments, powerful deodorization for persistent odors, and verification that all hidden areas are dry and pathogen-free using moisture meters and testing. 

Prioritize safety: Evacuate people and pets from the affected area, avoid walking through or touching the contaminated water, turn off electricity to the space if safe (to prevent shocks), stop using all plumbing fixtures, and avoid flushing toilets or running water. Do not attempt to clean it yourself, call professionals immediately for containment and extraction to minimize health risks and secondary damage like mold. 

Spartan Restoration provides professional sewage clean-up for backups, overflows, basement sewage issues, sewage leaks, and any Category 3 (black water) contamination. This includes emergency water extraction, safe removal and legal disposal of contaminated waste, thorough disinfection, odor elimination, structural drying, mold prevention, and content cleaning/restoration. 

They offer 24/7 emergency service with calls answered within 15 minutes and technicians on-site within 1 hour (in most cases). Call their hotline anytime at (631) 250-1142.