With all the rain this week I can't wait for the overflow stories to come - but will they? Without a nationwide requirement to report overflows and spills, this recent spell of wet weather, which has been treacherous in some states, may not get any sewage-related media attention. Many people are taking time to enjoy the outdoors without knowing whether their favorite spot on the water is safe or not.

I'm on my way to northeast Ohio as soon as I finish writing this to spend the weekend on a small lake. I've been looking but haven't been able to find any info about sewage overflows in the area, so I'll probably play it safe and refrain from swimming. When Congress passes Sewage Community Right to Know law, or even when Ohio's right to know law is passed, it will be so much easier to relax and enjoy a vacation knowing whether the lake is safe and sewage free.

At least we aren't stopping in Western PA along the way, where the problem is even worse.

After all the floods, next week should be a mighty week for "Spills of the Week".

Now the Spills of the Week - many of which made the news because of good notification:

Complain A Lot? 60,000 gallons of sewage leaked into a pond and the surrounding area in Port Orchard, WA. City workers responding to a complaint call found a manhole spewing sewage down an embankment and into a pond. Signs were posted warning people to avoid the spill.
- June 29, 2007: The Kitsap Sun - Bremerton, WA

Sewage Valley Lake: Swimming and other water-related recreational activities are not recommended at a private lake in Iowa after a sewage spill. Three hundred gallons of human wastewater leaked into Sun Valley Lake. The Department of Natural Resources said the bacteria levels were low at the beach area but that contact with the water should be avoided.
- July 3, 2007: The Des Moines Register - Des Moines, IA

Lake Oh-my-Gosh: 42,000 gallons of crude oil and an unknown amount of sewage found its way into the Verdigris River in Kansas. This fun little mixture then flowed across the border into Oklahoma and headed for Lake Oologah a drinking water source for area residents. A Department of Environmental Quality spokesperson said with the oil floating to the surface, there shouldn't be any problems since most water systems draw from deep in the lake. No word yet on how the sewage may affect drinking water.
- July 3, 2007: The Oklahoman - Oklahoma City, OK

A Crappy Fourth: 30,000 gallons of raw sewage ruined the July 4th holiday in Greenville, SC. Residents were warned against wading or swimming in the Reedy River, even though the cleanup is complete.
- July 4, 2007: WSPA 9 - Spartanburg, SC

Sewerington: 20,000 gallons of sludge from a treatment plant in Worthington, IA washed into Durion Creek during a heavy rain storm. While the solids, that had not been fully treated, were contained the stormwater run-off from sludge ended up in the creek causing healthy authorities to issue the warning.
- July 5, 2007: The Des Moines Register - Des Moines, IA