In many developing countries 80-90% of human sewage entering the marine environment is untreated. In its regular Earth Trends series, the World Resources Institute recently explored this issue and raised serious concerns about the future impacts on marine life, human livelihoods, and local tourism-based economies.

Perhaps things aren't quite as bad in America, but we're facing some of the same problems in dealing with sewage pollution. The challenge is to increase awareness and to take corrective steps to stem the steady tide of poorly treated and raw sewage flowing into our rivers and streams.

To get a glimpse of this disturbing (and disgusting) trend, look no further than these sewage spills of the week:

Overwhelming the Willamette: For the third time in two months, heavy rains overwhelmed Salem, Oregon's sewer system, sending sewage into the Willamette River. Signs were posted to warn the public about health risks from bacteria. This great river already has enough pollution problems, as evidenced by its status as one of the 2006 America's Most Endangered Rivers.

-Statesman Journal, December 15, 2006

The power of poop: Residents in another Oregon town also have more than downed trees and utility lines to clean up after a storm caused power outages at a treatment plant, causing raw sewage to overflow into creeks. City workers posted signs at spill sites, hung notices on doors and sent a notification letter to local citizens.

-Hillsboro Argus, December 19, 2006

Don't know in Kokomo: A treatment plant servicing an upscale subdivision in Indiana is receiving more than twice its intended volume of wastewater every day - dumping raw sewage into a nearby creek. Puzzled state investigators are trying to figure out why the 50-year old plant, which can only handle 40,000 gallons per day, is getting 100,000 gallons per day.

-Indystar.com, December 17, 2006

Terrible stocking stuffer: Several San Antonio home-owners awoke to find their floors covered and their Christmas presents soaking in sewage due to a blocked sewer main. Ho-Ho-gross!

-KSAT 12, December 19, 2006