In case you missed my post earlier in the week, Healthyrivers.org now has an action-oriented addition to the site: www.healthyrivers.org/actnow The focal point of this site is Flushie, the talking toilet. Help us "flush out" the site with your photo and comments as we launch Flushie's Summer Vacation.

Now the Spills of the Week (the ones we know about...):

Drainy Ditch: Warning signs were posted after 20,000 gallons of raw sewage spilled in Sarasota, FL. An eight-inch sewer main was to blame for the spill into a drainage ditch in front of a restaurant. "You are going to obviously have contamination at least at the point of entry and somewhat downstream," said John Czahoroski, the water operations field services manager. Contamination? Really?

July 24, 2007: The Bradenton Herald - Bradenton, FL

To-poo-ka: Humans and their pets are being advised to avoid contact with the water in Old Soldier Creek Channel in North Topeka, KS. Raw sewage spilled into the channel when pump station circuits failed. The Health Advisory will be in affect until further notice.

July 25, 2007: WIBW-TV - Topeka, KS

Pipe-Yick: A pipe break at a wastewater treatment plant in Hardwick, MA sent raw sewage into the Ware River. The break was discovered after plant workers noticed lower than normal sewage flows. According to the article several local officials thought they should have been notified more swiftly or were not told about the problem at all.

July 22, 2007: The Worcester Telegram & Gazette - Worcester, MA

Stank Beach: Six hundred feet of beach located at the inlet of Aliso Creek was closed in Laguna, CA this past weekend. A restaurant is being blamed for 1000 gallons of sewage that spilled. A Skim board Competition was scheduled for the beach, no word on whether it was moved.

July 23, 2007: The Orange County Register Blog - Santa Ana, CA

July 20, 2007: The Orange County Register Blog - Santa Ana, CA

Back-Up Hill: A sewer main broke and spilled 3000 gallons of sewage in Rocky Hill, CT. The "dirty water" backed up into basements and damaged home owner's property. "Hopefully, we can recoup our losses and get our life back together because it does stink," said Rick Gilbert, of Rocky Hill.

July 24, 2007: WFSB-TV - Hartford, CT