In article WDOSe.10249$nd.7746@trndny04,
George Patterson wrote:

Would that water be contaminated if the shutoff to the water heater
had been closed (assuming it exists)?

Standard plumbing practice is to install a shutoff valve on the inlet to the
water heater to allow it to be drained. There is usually none on the outlet
line; security there would depend on the integrity of the various faucets in
the
house.

ah yes, I had forgotten at about that side of the heater.

--
Bob Noel
no one likes an educated mule