Editing Centreville, Illinois (section)

== Environmental Justice ==
Centreville’s environmental problems are rooted in decades of racial and economic disparities, with structural neglect in basic services such as sewage and stormwater management. Today, much of the area suffers from frequent flooding, with raw sewage regularly backing up into homes, yards, and streets. These conditions have created severe public health risks for residents and exemplify environmental injustice in a predominantly Black community, as described by organizations such as Earthjustice and the Natural Resources Defense Council, which have documented the structural racism behind Centreville’s infrastructure failures.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2023-07-07 |title=The Disinvestment in Centreville Continues |url=https://www.nrdc.org/bio/natalia-ospina/disinvestment-centreville-continues |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=www.nrdc.org |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2021-08-21 |title=Residents of this Black community are fighting against decades of sewage pollution |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/raw-sewage-polluted-black-community-now-residents-are-fighting-back-n1277292 |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>

Floodwaters routinely overwhelm residential areas, especially during heavy rainfall. In many cases, sewage overflows from manholes or seeps into basements and kitchens, leaving hazardous waste and terrible odors behind. This issue has persisted for years, affecting the Centreville residents repeatedly. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) officials and local city representatives have publicly acknowledged the severity of the infrastructure failures, but progress has been hampered due to funding delays and lack of coordinated planning.<ref name=":0" />

The environmental hazards in Centreville are deeply racialized. Residents themselves have drawn attention to how systemic neglect correlated with the city’s racial demographics. In an interview with The Guardian, residents described how sewage backups made parts of their homes uninhabitable and called out the disparity in response compared to majority-white areas. One woman stated, “My floors buckled. My kitchen sink is rotting out. If white people were still here, this wouldn’t happen.” The long-term neglect of Centreville’s infrastructure reflects how disparities in public investment can disproportionately impact communities of color, contributing to unequal access to essential services.<ref name=":0" />

Academic researchers and local advocates have highlighted how the city’s geography contributes to the problem, arguing that historic disinvestment in flood infrastructure reflects a broader disregard for Black communities. Centreville is located on the Mississippi River floodplain known as the American Bottom, and inadequate maintenance of drainage channels and levees has worsened the impacts of stormwater. A study conducted by Williams College emphasized how channel infilling and poor drainage design make Centreville particularly vulnerable to repeated flooding.<ref name=":1" />

The conditions that Centreville faces are not natural; they are engineered by policy decisions that failed to serve Black communities. Centreville’s infrastructure was neglected during decades when other communities were modernizing, mostly due to limited political representation and economic disparity. Without access to federal or state funding, local officials were unable to implement preventative measures or renew old systems.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />

The consequences have been devastating. Residents report living among black mold, collapsing floors, and constant repairs. Exposure to raw sewage and persistent mold has caused respiratory problems, structural damage to homes, and increased mental and physical health burdens for residents. Some have lost the ability to safely use their kitchens and bathrooms due to sewage backups. A federal lawsuit filed by over two dozen residents back in 2021 described conditions where “raw sewage pools in yards” and “backs up in tubs, toilets, and sinks” <ref name=":4" />

Centreville Citizens for Change, a local advocacy group, has led efforts to hold the government accountable and fight for tangible outcomes such as full sewer system repairs, transparency in government planning, and the enforcement of environmental protections. Groups like Earthjustice and the Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing and Opportunity Council have helped draw national attention to the crisis. Their efforts have involved litigation, community organizing, and lobbying for infrastructure investment.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" />

These efforts have had a bit of success. In 2023, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) awarded a $9.9 million grant to address parts of Centreville’s sewage system. Unfortunately, local engineers estimate that fixing the full infrastructure will take over a decade and more than $100 million, largely because major drainage canals, particularly the Harding Ditch, have been severely neglected. Harding Ditch plays a central role in Centreville’s drainage system. Its poor maintenance has contributed significantly to flooding and sewage overflows, making its restoration essential to solving the area’s environmental problems.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Belleville News-Democrat |date=November 13, 2023 |title=Raw sewage, lawsuits and millions in federal funding: A timeline of issues in Cahokia Heights |url=https://www.bnd.com/news/local/article281536758.html}}</ref>

Community members are also seeking federal help. At town hall meetings, residents and advocates have appealed to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to assist with dredging Harding Ditch and planning sustainable drainage systems. However, the Corps has limited jurisdiction and funding, making such partnerships difficult to obtain.<ref name=":5" />

A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) buyout program has been introduced as an option for residents who want to relocate from high-risk areas, but compensation is still a concern. Many homes are so damaged that they have little to no market value, leaving the owners with few options. Due to the extensive water and sewage damage, these properties are no longer safe or insurable, making it difficult for owners to sell or relocate without taking on personal debt. This exemplifies how environmental injustice is compounded by economic vulnerability, leaving affected communities with few viable options.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" />

Despite these challenges, Centreville residents continue to fight for their justice. A study led by José Constantine and James Manigault-Bryant of Williams College has partnered with residents to conduct community-based research on flooding and infrastructure vulnerability. Their support includes mapping flood zones, analyzing policy impacts, and co-developing public resources that amplify resident voices. These initiatives aim to improve infrastructure while also supporting education, community research, and local political advocacy.<ref name=":1" />