Environmental Issues in Illinois' Cahokia Heights and Metro-East Neighborhoods

The Metro-East Region is an area in southern Illinois, east of St. Louis, Missouri. The area includes the cities of East St. Louis, Cahokia Heights, Caseyville, and Village of Sauget and others.

The community expressed the following environmental challenges:

  • Sanitary sewer overflows.
  • Flooding issues.
  • Threats to drinking water.
  • Air pollution.
  • Historical contamination.
  • Environmental justice concerns.

On this page:

Latest News

EPA Establishes a Cahokia Heights/Metro-East Coordinator Position

In 2023, U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski requested that the EPA appoint a coordinator for the area to help bring relief.

Representative Budzinski’s requests:

The EPA appointed the first coordinator in October of 2023. The coordinator works with residents, community organizations, and agencies to provide information on wastewater, drinking water and flooding in the area.

Development and Release of the Metro-East Infrastructure Project Matrix

Betsy worked closely with more than 35 organizations to develop, for the first-time, a summary of area:

  • Infrastructure projects.
  • Funding needs.
  • Funding opportunities.
  • Funding use.

This summary is called the Matrix and the Matrix was released for the first time in May 2024. For more information see The EPA Announces Funding Update for Drinking Water, Wastewater and Flood Prevention in Cahokia Heights/Metro East, Illinois.

To request a copy of the Matrix, email Coordinator Betsy Nighingale (Nightingale.Elizabeth@epa.gov).

Public Meetings for Matrix Explanation and Intended Use

In June 2024, EPA held three public meetings to show how to use the Matrix and answer community questions. EPA recorded one of the meetings as a reference for anyone who could not make one of the meetings. 

Recording of the June 11, 2024 meeting

Reporting Sewage or Drinking Water Emergencies

Report Drinking Water Emergencies (pdf) (140.71 KB)

Report Sewage Emergencies (pdf) (138.39 KB)

Upcoming Meetings

Cahokia Heights Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Grant Meetings

Flooding Resources

General Community Resources

Other Active Projects or Actions

EPA staff work with residents, community organizations, private companies, and governmental agencies on other projects in the Metro-East area.

Air

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

Superfund

Water

Technical Assistance

Completed Projects

Drinking Water - Unilateral Administrative Order

Contact

Cahokia Heights Metro East Coordinator

Betsy Nightingale (Nightingale.elizabeth@epa.gov)
312-886-6294 or 800-621-8431, ext. 66163

Highlight

Illinois American Water Meets Requirements of EPA Order to Improve Drinking Water Safety in Cahokia Heights, Illinois

Related Information

EPA in Illinois

Contact Us About EPA in Illinois
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Last updated on September 20, 2024