Sewers

Curtis McCall Sr., Cahokia Heights Mayor, addresses elected officials and the media on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, after announcing more than $20 million in support for local water infrastructure at Cahokia Heights City Hall in Cahokia Heights.

Health, Science, Environment

Illinois promises millions for Cahokia Heights flooding, but residents are skeptical

Eric Schmid

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

Centreville resident Walter Byrd stands in his side yard next to raw sewage and his attempt to keep the sewage from backing up into his home.

Government, Politics & Issues

How infrastructure money could finally solve Cahokia Heights’ flooding and sewage problems

Kelsey Landis

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth says the infrastructure deal will cover the cost of repairing decades-old problems."

The city of Belleville expects to get $15.79 million in federal COVID relief.

Government, Politics & Issues

Here’s how Belleville expects to spend its $15.79M in federal COVID relief

Mike Koziatek

The city has already received half of the money.

Scientists from the University of Missouri and the Missouri health department are now testing dozens of sewage samples from wastewater treatment facilities every week for genetic evidence of the coronavirus.

Coronavirus

Scientists Are Looking For Coronavirus Variants In Missouri's Sewers

Sarah Fentem

University of Missouri scientists have tested about 3,000 wastewater samples from water treatment plants, prisons, veterans homes and colleges and launched an online dashboard that shows where coronavirus concentrations are increasing. The project tests the wastewater of 4 million people, or nearly 70% of Missouri’s population.

Earlie Fuse points to a plywood wall he constructed after his basement wall collapsed. Jan. 27, 2020

Health, Science, Environment

Centreville Residents Sue City And Sewer Utility To Demand An End To Clogged Sewers

Eli Chen

Earlie Fuse’s home in Centreville, Illinois, flooded in 1993. Since then, Fuse and his neighbors have experienced worse floods. Some found that the sewer…

Walter Byrd checks on an overflowing sewer grate next to his home in Centreville. Like dozens of other residents, Byrd has raw sewage seeping through his yard. Jan. 27, 2020

Health, Science, Environment

Centreville’s Sewage And Drainage Problems Put Community At Risk

Eli Chen

CENTREVILLE — At least twice a day, Walter Byrd checks on the pumps on his yard. Like dozens of residents in the Metro East city of Centreville, Byrd has…

A MSD worker about to plug a manhole in north St. Louis ahead of moderate river flooding in March 2019.

Health, Science, Environment

St. Louis Officials Prepare Sewers And Levees For Flooding As Mississippi River Rises

Eli Chen

As the Mississippi River continues to rise, utilities and government agencies in the St. Louis region are taking steps to protect sewers, levees and other…

Workers for the Metropolitan Sewer District begin to demolish a house on Greer Avenue as a part of program to turn vacant properties into green spaces in March 2017.

Health, Science, Environment

MSD knocks down empty houses to build green spaces, reduce rain runoff

Eli Chen

The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District has started demolishing abandoned buildings to kick off a $13.5 million project to build green spaces in the…

Shona Scott's sewer bill has a $359 adjustment for under-billing.

Government, Politics & Issues

Kirkwood sewer bills bump up after MSD error

Some Kirkwood residents are getting a shock when they open their sewer bills this month. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is charging a one-time…

Part of the $4.7 million sewer system upgrade involves removing illegal sewer bypasses, like the one pictured here.

Health, Science, Environment

Does demolishing buildings keep sewage out of streams? MSD, St. Louis officials say yes

The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is spending billions of dollars to keep sewage out of area waterways as part of a court-ordered agreement. But…