Centreville

In August 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ordered Cahokia Height’s two water providers — Illinois American and the city — to monitor the drinking water after the federal agency found “violations and significant deficiencies.”

The cash will funnel through the Army Corps of Engineers to the city. In all, the project to help repair the city’s main trunk line will cost $4.67 million.

Residents have dealt with sewage flooding their homes and neighborhoods after heavy rains for years. With a new grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Cahokia Heights plans to complete repairs in February 2026.

Cahokia Heights, long plagued with a faulty sewer system, will receive a grant from the Illinois EPA.

Raw sewage backups and chronic flooding have been a decades-long issue in Centreville, now Cahokia Heights. Residents previously filed two federal lawsuits over these issues in 2020 and 2021.

Officials announced Cahokia Heights would receive $37 million in funding because of failing infrastructure. Over two years later, that money is still to be seen.

The Illinois Democrat toured homes in the area to see the damage from chronic flooding during heavy rains, which often contains raw sewage.

The agreement for the state funding includes a requirement for the city to be transparent with residents about how they’re spending the money.

Residents and officials from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency say more support is needed.

Residents of the former city of Centreville (now Cahokia Heights) have for years dealt with flooding and sewage overflows. Residents feel ignored — and financially trapped — after decades of inaction by officials.