RE: Support the Save our Waters from Sewage Act

Dear Representative ,

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.

The Save our Waters from Sewage Act (H.R. 1126) 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. Please co-sponsor H.R. 1126 now.

Most Sincerely,

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