Katherine Baer will give her assessment of how yesterday's markup of the Sewage Community Right to Know Act (HR 2452) went later, but in a case of perfect timing, USA Today ran a story today highlighting the problem of our country's aging and failing sewer systems. Here are some of the highlights from the story:

I can't give too many details, but HR 2452, the Sewage Overflow Community Right to Know Act, is going to mark up in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee tomorrow. This was announced late on Friday. Discussions and negotiations about final bill language are being worked out. It's been a tense negotiation. We will give you updates as soon as we have them following tomorrow's mark up.

Good news on the federal Sewage Right to Know Bill (HR 2452/S.2080), which we've covered many times before. The association of sewage agencies (NACWA) recently voted to support the legislation. Previously the group was neutral, and one of their members, Kevin Shafer from Milwaukee gave some good testimony at the House hearing. American Rivers worked long and hard with NACWA to understand their concerns and worked to address some of them - such as clarifying some of the vague terminology in the bill. This is a big deal as getting NACWA's endorsement signals widespread recognition of the need to protect public health and the value in raising awareness about the problems to build support for much needed solutions. As you can see in their letter of support (pdf), NACWA is committed to pursuing a more comprehensive SSO rule as well (the previous rule proposed by EPA was rescinded by the Bush Administration). We'll get sewage right to know one way or the other!

Clcik through to download a copy of NACWA's letter.

Last week, we highlighted the alarming report from the AP that found pharmaceutical compounds in the drinking water of 40 million Americans. Although a Seattle comedian calls it "a clever way to tap into the drug supply,." it's enough to get you worried. Given the increased reliance on medications, sewage treatment inadequate to remove these compounds, and improper drug disposal, our streams and rivers are going to continue to be a drug soup for a while.

Big news this week from the Associated Press on pharmaceuticals in our drinking water. In an interview on NPR's Talk of the Nation, American Rivers' Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee member Dr. Joan Rose, summed it by explaining that the close connection between human waste, animal waste and our drinking water supply essentially "short circuits the natural environment and leads one to be concerned."

The Associated Press released the first major report on pharmaceuticals in drinking water supplies in the U.S. this week, and the results aren't encouraging. Investigators found an array of pharmaceuticals from pain killers to antibiotics to mood stabilizers in the drinking water of 24 major metropolitan water suppliers. Even worse, thirty-four of the sixty-two water suppliers contacted by the AP couldn't provide results as they had never tested for pharmaceutical compounds.

Let's face it, the task of public relations for a sewer operator can't be the easiest job in the world. The job they do to keep "stuff" out of our waters is largely unappreciated and they end up putting said "stuff" in the water, either by design or by accident we are appalled and grossed out. I get the feeling that Kevin Cowan, Sewer Manager for the North Davis Sewer District in Utah, understands the juxtaposition his job puts him in.

When Cowan gives visitors tours of the facility he hands them a bottle of water that looks perfectly clear... Then you read the ingredients. "Water, fecal matter, toilet paper, hair, lint, rancid grease, stomach acid and trace amounts of Pepto Bismol, chocolate, urine, body oils, dead skin, industrial chemicals."

The specially labeled bottle of waters are being to reach out to the public to raise awareness about water quality, the important role sanitation systems play in our society and to remind us that everything we dump down the drain may end up in our precious natural water resources.

Now for the Spills of the Week:

On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to testify on the Sewage Right to Know Bill (H.R. 2452) at a hearing in the House of Representatives. Talk about nervous... but it wasn't as bad as it could have been given that bill sponsors Rep. Bishop (D-NY) and Rep. LoBiondo (R-NJ) were chairing the hearing.

As we look forward to celebrating the Clean Water Act's 35th birthday this week we've discovered that a lot of work remians to be done to meet the goals of this landmark piece of legislation.

In a report we just released, Troubled Waters: An Analysis of 2005 Clean Water Act Compliance (available for download below), our research found that more than 57% of Clean Water Act permitees are out of compliance with their issued permits.

After finally getting some rest and allowing the dust to settle I'm very happy to say that River Action Day was a major success. About 90 river advocates from all over the country took to Capitol Hill to be the voice of their hometown rivers in the halls of Congress. As always, this event helped raise the political profile of several important pieces of river legislation that Congress is considering, including the Sewage Overflow Right to Know Act now pending in both the House and Senate. All told, River Action Day participants attended more than 200 congressional meetings and their presence was felt and seen on both sides of the Capitol.

Great news - Senator Lautenberg has just introduced the Senate version of the Sewage Overflow Right to Know Act. This makes a lot of sense when you think about as Senator Lautenberg has been a long time leader in increasing the public's right to know for environmental and health risks.