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H.R. 2452 Fact Sheet
Every year, millions of Americans become sick from waterborne illnesses after coming into contact with water contaminated by sewer overflows. Representatives Tim Bishop (D-NY) and Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) recently introduced H.R. 2452, the Raw Sewage Overflow Community Right-to-Know Act of 2007, in order to protect Americans from these illnesses by mandating public notification of sewer overflows.
H.R. 2452 would protect Americans from Sewage Spills
 Better notification, monitoring and reporting would save millions of Americans from getting sick every year. The legislation would reduce the annual number of human illnesses and deaths from contact with raw sewage by informing Americans of sewer overflows discharging waste into their local waterways. H.R. 2452 would:- Provide notification of sewer overflows by requiring sewage treatment works to:
- Monitor their treatment works for sewage overflows by using a management program or technology that will alert them of sewer overflows in a timely manner;
- Notify the public, public health officials and other affected downstream entities including drinking water suppliers of any sewer overflows that endanger human health
 Report to the state or the Environmental Protection Agency on all sewer overflows as soon as practicable within 24 hours of becoming aware of the overflow and follow-up with a written report explaining the duration and volume of the overflow and steps taken to mitigate the overflow prevent recurrence.- Make monitoring and notification eligible for funding via the Clean Water State Sewage Overflow Facts:
 Sewer overflows occur regularly – there are tens of thousands of sewer overflows every year that release billions of gallons of sewage into our waters.
Aging wastewater infrastructure and sprawl contribute to wastewater systems becoming overwhelmed, leading to sewer overflows.
According to the EPA, between 1.8 and 3.5 million Americans become ill every year from recreational contact with waters contaminated by sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). Vulnerable populations including the elderly, children and the immunocompromised are particularly susceptible.
 The bacteria, viruses and parasites found in untreated sewage can cause severe short-term symptoms including gastrointestinal problems, infections and fever, as well as serious chronic conditions such as heart, liver or kidney failure, arthritis and cancer.
 Currently, there is no consistent reporting and public notification requirement for sewer overflows, and public health agencies and drinking water suppliers are often unaware when overflows contaminate waterways. As a result people are unable to take steps to protect themselves and their loved ones from becoming ill from swimming, boating, fishing and playing in local waterways.
Protect Americans from raw sewage spills
Cosponsor H.R. 2452, the Raw Sewage Overflow Community Right-to-Know Act today!
For more information on sewage spills or the Raw Sewage Overflow Community Right-to-Know Act please contact Katherine Baer at (202) 347-7550 or kbaer@americanrivers.org
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