The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Justice (DOJ), and the state of Illinois have reached a settlement with Cahokia Heights, Illinois, concerning violations related to the city's sanitary sewer system. The agreement addresses breaches of the federal Clean Water Act and the Illinois Environmental Protection Act due to improper operation by the city.
Cahokia Heights will pay a $30,000 civil penalty and undertake approximately $30 million in compliance measures. This follows allegations that since November 2019, the city has discharged untreated sewage over 300 times into nearby waters, violating section 301 of the Clean Water Act. The discharges also affected local ditches, roads, yards, and homes.
“Cahokia Heights failed to maintain its aging sewer system, resulting in hundreds of illegal sanitary sewer overflow discharges that created public health risks and contaminated homes and the environment,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. He added that this settlement includes an infrastructure investment aimed at reducing overflows significantly.
Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim stated: “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 to protect human health and the environment in the community.” He emphasized this settlement's role in advancing environmental justice.
EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore acknowledged residents' concerns: “Residents are worried that change can’t come soon enough. This consent decree is a significant step forward, bringing meaningful improvements to the community.”
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul expressed pride in collaborative efforts towards resolving these issues: “For too long, the neglected and aging sewer system in Cahokia Heights has forced local residents to deal with raw sewage... I am proud of my office’s collaboration with the Department of Justice.”
Illinois EPA Acting Director James Jennings remarked on historical challenges faced by residents: “It is our hope that this settlement... provides residents with further assurance that federal and state government entities are committed to addressing these historic infrastructure issues.”
The settlement requires Cahokia Heights to execute more than 80 capital improvement projects. These include constructing an interceptor for wastewater rerouting and making various repairs across their system. The city must also keep its community informed about progress and maintain emergency plans.
The proposed consent decree awaits final court approval after a 60-day comment period. Further details on submitting comments or accessing information are available on relevant websites.
