When I paddle on the Potomac River in the DC area, I often see things floating in the water. Usually, it's just driftwood or river grass, but I often check just to make sure.

Why? Because according to a recent lawsuit, DC's Water and Sewer Authority discharges about 2 billion gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers and their tributaries each year.

That's a lot of sewage. So when I see a "floater," I want to know what it is.

Paddlers know (or should know) about the dangers of sewage discharge, because we immerse ourselves in water every day. Sewage makes us sick. Not just sad, but physically sick. The nasty bugs sewage contains can get on (and under) our skin and cause a variety of ailments, some minor and some serious, and all of which really cramp our style. And our stomach. And that's no fun.

But we don't always know when discharges are happening. That's why the ACA is urging its members and paddlers everywhere to support sewage Right-to-Know legislation. All citizens, paddlers included, are entited to know when sewage releases are threatening our health and the health of our rivers. Make your voices heard by supporting American Rivers' effort to pass Right-to-Know legislation.