Cahokia Heights, IL – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the State of Illinois have announced a significant settlement with the City of Cahokia Heights, Illinois, following violations of the federal Clean Water Act and the Illinois Environmental Protection Act. The city’s improper operation of its sanitary sewer system led to more than 300 unlawful sewage discharges into nearby waterways, including raw sewage flowing into streets, homes, and yards. The settlement requires Cahokia Heights to pay a $30,000 civil penalty and invest an estimated $30 million in infrastructure improvements.
The complaint, filed in federal court, revealed that since November 2019, the city’s sewer system has discharged untreated sewage from overflow points into local waterbodies, endangering public health and the environment. Sanitary sewer overflows, which occur when sewer systems exceed their capacity, can carry harmful bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants, damaging water quality and creating serious health risks for residents.
“We are taking action to ensure that the City of Cahokia Heights operates its sewer system in a way that complies with the Clean Water Act and protects human health and the environment,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “This settlement underscores the United States’ commitment to environmental justice.”
Cahokia Heights’ aging sewer infrastructure has long been a source of concern for local residents, with frequent overflows contributing to unsafe living conditions. The settlement aims to address these issues with an ambitious plan to overhaul the city’s sewer system.
“Cahokia Heights failed to maintain its aging sewer system, resulting in hundreds of illegal discharges that contaminated homes, streets, and local waterways,” said EPA Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann. “This settlement is a crucial step toward reducing overflows and ensuring the system operates effectively to safeguard public health.”
The settlement will require Cahokia Heights to undertake more than 80 capital improvement projects, including the construction of a new interceptor to reroute wastewater, system-wide repairs, and thorough investigations of the sewer system’s condition. Additionally, the city will be tasked with providing the community with regular updates, creating emergency response plans, and developing digital maps to monitor known overflow points in real-time.
“Cahokia Heights residents have endured these public health risks for far too long,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “This consent decree marks a significant step forward, bringing long-overdue improvements to the community.”
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul emphasized the collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies in addressing this pressing environmental and public health crisis. “I am proud of the work we have done together to bring justice to the residents of Cahokia Heights,” Raoul said. “Our office will continue to partner with all levels of government to enforce Illinois’ environmental laws and ensure the protection of our communities.”
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) also expressed its commitment to addressing the city’s infrastructure issues. “Illinois EPA remains dedicated to ensuring that Cahokia Heights rehabilitates and repairs its deteriorated sewer system,” said IEPA Acting Director James Jennings.
The settlement is expected to provide relief to the residents of Cahokia Heights, whose lives have been disrupted by the longstanding issues with the city’s sewer system. The extensive upgrades, backed by significant federal and state support, are designed to restore the safety and health of the community while safeguarding the environment for future generations
