Illinois American Water meets EPA drinking water requirements in Cahokia Heights
(UI) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) terminated its order under the Safe Drinking Water Act to Illinois American Water Co. following completion of requirements to monitor the safety of drinking water in Cahokia Heights, Illinois, and to protect residents from potential exposure to contamination from sanitary sewer overflows.
Cahokia Heights is served by two different drinking water systems, one operated by Illinois American Water and the other by the city’s water and sewer department. The EPA’s order was issued to both Illinois American Water and the city of Cahokia Heights in August 2021 based on violations and significant deficiencies found during an inspection of the two water systems.
The order requires several steps that will better monitor the drinking water systems and will help protect the health of Cahokia Heights residents. The city remains under EPA’s order as it continues to make infrastructure upgrades to resolve significant deficiencies.
Illinois American Water has demonstrated to the EPA that it has satisfactorily completed the terms of the order and, though not required, has improved its community outreach by publishing newsletters, holding an open house for residents and designating staff to answer questions from the community.
In its role as the primacy agency, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will continue to work with Illinois American Water to maintain compliance with applicable requirements. The EPA will continue to track compliance of public water systems in Illinois, including Cahokia Heights, through routine coordination with the state.
The EPA continues to meet with Cahokia Heights city officials and is working to address community members’ needs and concerns around water infrastructure. The EPA provided the city a compliance advisor to provide training assistance to the system operator. Such assistance is made available to small under-resourced drinking water systems nationwide that may lack sufficient expertise.
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