The scenic Severn River on the Bay's western shore is a typical urban-suburban waterway. Many enjoy the lifestyle -- fishing, boating and swimming. But because of high fecal bacteria counts after a hard rain, officials advise everyone to stay out of the water here and across the state for at least two days -- children among those at highest risk. The dangers are highlighted by the story of a resident who acquired a life-threatening infection from fecal bacteria after splashing in the creek behind his house. In spite of waste water upgrades, raw sewage is still being discharged during major storms into bodies of water like the Potomac and its main tributary, the Anacostia River. Meanwhile, researchers on the Potomac suspect that "emerging contaminants" like pharmaceuticals and anti-bacterial chemicals are causing deviations and disease in fish.
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Length: 27 minutes