Contamination means that an unwanted substance or material is present where it does not belong. The source and the affected material determine what the finding means.
What this means at your property
Water entering from a supply pipe, a drain backup and a chemical spill raise different assessment questions. Color or smell alone cannot establish the contents of the water or the appropriate cleanup method.
How should contamination be described in a scope?
Ask the assessor to separate known facts from assumptions: the source, contact time, affected surfaces and any testing or access limitations. The proposed handling and disposal decisions should follow those findings.