Communities Struggle with Aging Sewage Systems and Floods

Sat Jan 10 2026 10:45:25 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Flooding problems and aging sewage systems have plagued many U.S. communities, leading to health risks and calls for urgent infrastructure funding, which faces political hurdles.

In Cahokia Heights, Illinois, Yvette Lyles and her family are among many grappling with flooding that causes untreated sewage to back up into homes. The city, dealing with aging wastewater systems, represents a broader trend in underserved communities across the nation facing similar challenges. Numerous projects aimed at upgrading crucial infrastructure have been stalled or cut under previous administrations, raising concerns about health and safety, particularly in minority neighborhoods. Activists argue these issues highlight ongoing disparities in environmental justice, demanding urgent financial support and systemic changes to address these long-standing problems.

CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill. — Yvette Lyles viewed her modest brick ranch home as a special gift for her family, offering proximity to parks and the chance to create lasting memories. However, soon after moving in, she discovered her community was vulnerable to severe flooding, leading to repeated sewage backflow and significant damage to their home.

“I had to turn my back so my children wouldn’t see me cry,” Lyles recounted, as the floods forced her family to remain trapped for days.

Cahokia Heights, a predominantly Black city with a significant poverty rate, illustrates a national issue where aging wastewater systems pose a direct threat to residents and their properties. Many communities, particularly in rural areas or those with declining economies, lack the funds and expertise to rectify these urgent problems.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law under the Biden administration promised critical financial support to address these inequalities, yet many of those funds were cut under the Trump administration, impacting vital wastewater projects in marginalized communities.

For instance, planned investments in Alabama aimed at installing septic systems in predominantly Black areas were thwarted. Meanwhile, grant cancellations have left areas like Thomasville, Georgia, stranded as they struggle to manage outdated sewer lines that exacerbate flooding and health risks.

The situation is dire: over 17 million Americans are served by wastewater systems failing to meet federal standards. Increased investment in infrastructure is desperately needed, with an estimated $630 billion required over the coming decades to address flooding and water quality issues.

“This isn’t just an environmental issue; it’s a matter of health and dignity,” Catherine Coleman Flowers, founder of the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice, emphasized. The struggle for sufficient funding continues, especially as many of the hardest-hit communities find it increasingly challenging to navigate bureaucratic processes without assistance.

Shaw, Mississippi, showcases the urgent need for intervention; studies found alarming health issues among children tied to poor sanitation. In Cahokia Heights, the ongoing threat from sewage underscores the need to prioritize environmental justice in infrastructure funding.

Many advocates caution that while recent federal initiatives may offer some hope for repairs and improvements, persistent political opposition hampers access to necessary resources, leaving marginalized communities in precarious conditions.