Sewage is also considered a bio-hazard material due to the dangerous bacteria in the water. Events such as sewage back ups, like recently used, feces clogged toilets overflowing or a septic system backing up into a basement need to be handled properly with the correct equipment such as but not limited to respirators, gloves and full bio-hazard suits. Once sewage is properly removed and disposed of, the affected area must be mitigated per regulations and disinfected before anyone without proper equipment can enter. This will mean that if any sewage came into contact with removable flooring or walls such as carpet, hardwoods, sheetrock or bottoms of doors, all affected material must be disposed of without contaminating other areas within the home or business. Once the air has been scrubbed of any contaminates, flood cuts have been made, all flooring removed, only then can reconstruction begin.

It is extremely important to understand why it is so dangerous to remove bio-hazard material yourself. Without proper equipment, anyone within an affected area can and most likely will come into contact with bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses that can cause intestinal, lung, and other infections. Bacteria may cause diarrhea, fever, cramps, and sometimes vomiting, headache, weakness, or loss of appetite. Some bacteria and diseases carried by sewage and wastewater are E. coli, shigellosis, typhoid fever, salmonella, and cholera.