If the hard drive has been under water for only a short time, the probability is that the head assembly has not been penetrated by the water. While the data recovery remains difficult, it can be done.

If water has penetrated the head assembly, it is important that the drive be kept wet. In requesting data recovery it is important to seal the drive, as well as other media, in a container with a minimum of a damp sponge. We have been successful in recovering data when we have received drive shipped (delivered) in distilled water.