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A home surrounded by floodwater in Centreville in June 2020. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the state would support fixing the persistent flooding problems.
Editor’s note: This story was originally published by the Belleville News-Democrat, a news partner of St. Louis Public Radio.
CENTERVILLE Illinois Gov J.B. Pritzker has pledged his administration’s support for a $22 million federal grant that local officials believe would fix years of flooding and sewage issues faced by residents of north Centreville.
He described the ongoing problems “a textbook example of environmental racism” during a visit to Centreville last week.
“The persistent flooding and sewage residents have experienced are entirely unacceptable, especially in a pandemic when home has never been more sacred,” Pritzker said.
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A home surrounded by floodwater in Centreville in June 2020. Residents say heavy rainfall combines with the areas failing infrastructure to flood their homes and streets.
Editor’s note: This story was originally published by the Belleville News-Democrat, a news partner of St. Louis Public Radio.
Centreville, Alorton and Cahokia have applied for a $22 million federal grant that local leaders believe would fix failed sewage systems in those communities.
If the application is approved, the cities’ consulting engineer firm expects construction could begin next year and take about three years to complete.
Residents in north Centreville, who have endured flooding and sewage issues for decades, are hesitant to get excited about what the grant award could do for their community.
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State officials discuss water infrastructure funding
Participants at Wednesday’s discussion on water infrastructure funding, which was organized by the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. Screenshot
Published: 2/25/2021 6:42:28 PM
State and local officials met remotely Wednesday night to discuss the importance of locating funding to support local and regional water suppliers and treatment facilities.
“While we often don’t think enough about our water and wastewater infrastructure, and it’s sometimes not the most exciting topic on the table, I think it’s easy to agree that the work of local and regional wastewater utilities has never been more critical,” said Kathleen Theoharides, secretary of the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.