STOP THE SEWAGE

[Jahsurfs!]

Hi fellas, this is something I took from another poster on the surfermag BB. I think this is very important information for us water dwellers. I don't know if you face the same pollution problems in HI as we do in CA but please help, it's getting bad.


You can go to this website and write your congressional representative to block the EPA, which is trying to lessen the requirements to dump mixed sewage into the ocean. They are avoiding the clean water act....

Super easy, go here and fill out a few pieces of info and hit submit, it will automatically send it to your representative based on your zip code. Thanks!!

http://www.nrdcaction.org/action/index. ... item=52623

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Here is the full story....

Millions of Americans get sick every year from contact with inadequately treated sewage that ends up in water that we drink or swim in. Pathogens in sewage-contaminated waters can cause gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses, dysentery and hepatitis. The consequences of contact with sewage-infested waters are even greater for children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.

The Clean Water Act requires that raw sewage be treated to remove dangerous viruses, parasites and other pollutants before it is discharged into streams, lakes and drinking water sources. But the Environmental Protection Agency is poised to finalize a new policy that would allow sewage to be routinely discharged without effective treatment whenever it rains. This policy would increase the amount of bacteria, viruses and parasites discharged into recreational waters and drinking water supplies, where they would make more people sick. It also would increase beach closures, shellfish contamination and fish kills.

A bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives that would block the EPA from finalizing its proposed sewage dumping policy and instead compel the agency to implement the existing Clean Water Act rules that require full sewage treatment. The bill also would require that the public be notified whenever inadequately treated sewage is discharged into our waters.

The more co-sponsors this legislation receives, the greater the pressure will be on the EPA to abandon its policy. Ultimately, if enough representatives sign on, House leadership will be forced to bring the bill to the floor for a vote.

What to do:
Send a message urging your representative to co-sponsor the Save our Waters from Sewage Act (H.R. 1126).

http://www.nrdcaction.org/action/index. ... item=52623

"I urge you to co-sponsor the Save our Waters from Sewage Act (H.R. 1126).

The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a policy that would allow sewage treatment plants to routinely discharge inadequately treated sewage during rainy weather. The EPA's proposed policy (which it calls "blending") would mix together treated and largely untreated sewage before discharge, allowing sewage-infested wastewater to be discharged without removing most of the bacteria, viruses, parasites and other pollutants. These dangerous pathogens would then end up in the nation's recreational waters and drinking water supplies.

More than half of all waterborne disease outbreaks in the United States in the past 50 years were preceded by heavy rainfall. Pathogens in sewage-contaminated waters can cause gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses, dysentery and hepatitis, conditions that can be life threatening for children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. In addition, sewage in our waters causes beach closures, contaminates shellfish beds and harms fish and other wildlife.

Representatives Shaw, Stupak, Kirk and Pallone have introduced the Save our Waters from Sewage Act (H.R. 1126), which would block the EPA from finalizing its proposed sewage dumping policy; compel the EPA to implement the existing Clean Water Act rules that require full sewage treatment under routine operating conditions; and require public notification of discharges of inadequately treated sewage.

Opposition to dumping sewage into our waters should be overwhelming and bipartisan. Again, please co-sponsor H.R. 1126 now."

[Rocky Rockbottom]

Thanks! I sent my letter off. It would be nice if they fixed the dilapidated sewer pipes too. We've had too many spills recently.

[Jah]

First off ?, very nice Avatar!!!!!!!!!!

I agree about the sewer lines. They are breaking all the time causing spills even without rain. If I have to choose a battle first, I'm choosing the one where the knowingly pour sewage into the ocean. Thanks for filling it out!

[LGREANZ]

nice freckle.

[Jah]

You examined that very close Lgreanz...

[jah]

it will effect the waters in every state in the U.S.