Photos and Videos

Earlie Fuse watches activity outside his Piat Place window on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, after an overnight rain again flooded his home and entire block, collapsing a new basement wall he replaced in October because of long-standing problems with flood

Earlie Fuse watches activity outside his Piat Place window on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, after an overnight rain again flooded his home and entire block, collapsing a new basement wall he replaced in October because of long-standing problems with flooding. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

A clump of human waste and toilet paper forms on a sewer venting pipe on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, that has been flowing constantly for about 15 years in the front yard of Centreville residents Lincoln and Hazel LaFlore's home on 82nd Street. Any home

A clump of human waste and toilet paper forms on a sewer venting pipe on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, that has been flowing constantly for about 15 years in the front yard of Centreville residents Lincoln and Hazel LaFlore's home on 82nd Street. Any home on the LaFlores' block can contribute to the raw sewage that will flow out of it. If the pipe is capped, the same water and waste would rise up through the drains, toilets and sinks inside their home. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Water spews from a hole in the street on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020 at Laura Avenue and 63rd Street in Centreville near one of the city's running sewer pumps. The pumps in the city often fail creating problems for residents that can include water backing

Water spews from a hole in the street on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020 at Laura Avenue and 63rd Street in Centreville near one of the city's running sewer pumps. The pumps in the city often fail creating problems for residents that can include water backing up into home through the drains. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Centreville resident Patricia Greenwood listens with other residents on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, during a strategy meeting at Centreville Church of Christ in which citizens discuss actions plans and decide what steps to take to confront their water an

Centreville resident Patricia Greenwood listens with other residents on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, during a strategy meeting at Centreville Church of Christ in which citizens discuss actions plans and decide what steps to take to confront their water and sewage problems. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Nicole Nelson, an attorney working with Centreville residents, conducts a strategy meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, at Centreville Church of Christ in which citizens discuss actions plans and decide what steps to take to confront their water and se

Nicole Nelson, an attorney working with Centreville residents, conducts a strategy meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, at Centreville Church of Christ in which citizens discuss actions plans and decide what steps to take to confront their water and sewage problems. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Earlie Fuse surveys damage done on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, at his Piat Place home a few days after a heavy rain caused flooding that collapsed a new basement wall he had just replaced in October because of long-standing problems with flooding. This

Earlie Fuse surveys damage done on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, at his Piat Place home a few days after a heavy rain caused flooding that collapsed a new basement wall he had just replaced in October because of long-standing problems with flooding. This was the sixth wall he's installed for his basement. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Earlie Fuse watches activity in his Piat Place neighborhood in Centreville on Jan. 11, 2020, after an overnight storm again flooded his home and entire block, collapsing a new basement wall he replaced in October. Earlie and another resident have fil

Earlie Fuse watches activity in his Piat Place neighborhood in Centreville on Jan. 11, 2020, after an overnight storm again flooded his home and entire block, collapsing a new basement wall he replaced in October. Earlie and another resident have filed suit against city and utility officials because of long-standing problems they have had with sewage and flooding. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

A home at 83rd and Bluff in Centreville stands surrounded by rainwater on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020. The water, which is no longer carried away by the existing runoff system, becomes trapped and stays long after rain subsides. The situation creates a for

A home at 83rd and Bluff in Centreville stands surrounded by rainwater on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020. The water, which is no longer carried away by the existing runoff system, becomes trapped and stays long after rain subsides. The situation creates a formidable mosquito problem for neighborhood residents. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Centreville resident William McNeal uses water he carried into the house and heated on his stove to wash dishes on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. Rain water that constantly gets trapped under his home has softened the ground so much that his hot water heate

Centreville resident William McNeal uses water he carried into the house and heated on his stove to wash dishes on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. Rain water that constantly gets trapped under his home has softened the ground so much that his hot water heater and furnace collapsed under their own weight when the floor they stood on gave out. He now uses space heaters and the oven to heat his home. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

The furnace and water heater in William McNeal's Centreville home photographed on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, collapsed years ago under their own weight when the floor supporting them rotted away, rendering both useless. Since then, McNeal has gotten mos

The furnace and water heater in William McNeal's Centreville home photographed on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, collapsed years ago under their own weight when the floor supporting them rotted away, rendering both useless. Since then, McNeal has gotten most of his drinking water through a program from an Urban League office in Fairview Heights. When the rain gets heavy, it sends water under McNeal's home where it gets trapped until it dries on its own, if ever. He uses space heaters and the oven to heat his home. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Centreville resident Walter Byrd, left, talks with Corey Allen along 80th Street on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, Allen, who recently got hired as Centreville's public works supervisor had a crew putting PVC piping into canals along the street. Byrd told A

Centreville resident Walter Byrd, left, talks with Corey Allen along 80th Street on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, Allen, who recently got hired as Centreville's public works supervisor had a crew putting PVC piping into canals along the street. Byrd told Allen he was skeptical their measures would be enough to resolve the problem. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Pebbles, a dog at Lonnie Greenwood's Piat Place home stands in it's flooded backyard warding off strangers on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, after an overnight rain covered the backyard and the entire block with water. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@po

Pebbles, a dog at Lonnie Greenwood's Piat Place home stands in it's flooded backyard warding off strangers on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, after an overnight rain covered the backyard and the entire block with water. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Centreville residents Lonnie, right, and Patricia Greenwood look out over their flooded Piat Place block on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, with son, Arthur, 14, after an overnight heavy rainfall left them trapped for a couple of days. The Greenwoods, used

Centreville residents Lonnie, right, and Patricia Greenwood look out over their flooded Piat Place block on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, with son, Arthur, 14, after an overnight heavy rainfall left them trapped for a couple of days. The Greenwoods, used to the possibility of being flooded, prepared to stay in when the forecast predicted heavy rain. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Centreville resident William McNeal carries bottled water he gets from an Urban League assistance program into his house on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. He has not had running water since the flooring that holds his water heater and furnace collapsed unde

Centreville resident William McNeal carries bottled water he gets from an Urban League assistance program into his house on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. He has not had running water since the flooring that holds his water heater and furnace collapsed under their weight years ago. Rain water constantly gets trapped under his house softening the ground beneath. He now uses space heaters and the oven to heat his home. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Nicholas Gale, left, and Chester Jackson, with the Centreville public works department, dig new trenches along 80th Street in Centreville on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019, in an effort to create better runoff. Despite the effort, water continues to flood

Nicholas Gale, left, and Chester Jackson, with the Centreville public works department, dig new trenches along 80th Street in Centreville on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019, in an effort to create better runoff. Despite the effort, water continues to flood the streets in that part of the city, mainly because subsequent canals are not sufficiently clear of vegetation and trash for proper flow. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Human waste and toilet paper lays gathered in the yard of Centreville resident Walter Byrd on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, after a sewer cleanout pipe installed at his home, overwhelmed by a recent heavy rainfall, spewed it outward. Photo by Christian Go

Human waste and toilet paper lays gathered in the yard of Centreville resident Walter Byrd on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, after a sewer cleanout pipe installed at his home, overwhelmed by a recent heavy rainfall, spewed it outward. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

A sewer pump at 82nd and Bluff Streets in Centreville stands surrounded by rainwater on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020. When pooled water damages pumps and causes them to fail, raw sewage from the neighborhood sits trapped in the sewer lines causing a myriad

A sewer pump at 82nd and Bluff Streets in Centreville stands surrounded by rainwater on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020. When pooled water damages pumps and causes them to fail, raw sewage from the neighborhood sits trapped in the sewer lines causing a myriad of problems for residents. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

What appears to be raw sewage and storm water are being pumped out of a pipe in the 200 block of North 82nd Street in Centreville. Neighbors complain about the stench when the temperatures are warm. Tampons, toilet paper and other items can be seen i

What appears to be raw sewage and storm water are being pumped out of a pipe in the 200 block of North 82nd Street in Centreville. Neighbors complain about the stench when the temperatures are warm. Tampons, toilet paper and other items can be seen in the water and on the ground near the pipe. Derik Holtmann DHOLTMANN@BND.COM (Belleville News-Democrat)

"This has become a routine," says Steven Scott, a resident on Piat Place in Centreville, on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, as he pushes mud and water away from his home and towards a nearby storm drain a couple of days after a flood that covered his entire b

"This has become a routine," says Steven Scott, a resident on Piat Place in Centreville, on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, as he pushes mud and water away from his home and towards a nearby storm drain a couple of days after a flood that covered his entire block with about two feet of water retreated. Residents in parts Centreville have to clean up the streets themselves following frequent flooding that leaves the pavement coated with mud and debris. Scott laments not being able to keep his truck, shoes and floors in his home clean because of constant build-up of mud and dirt. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Centreville resident William Byrd, is shown what's beneath sewer manhole cover in Centreville on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, by Frank Pace, a foreman with Commonfields of Cahokia Public Water District, the sewer utility that covers the city. Byrd attend

Centreville resident William Byrd, is shown what's beneath sewer manhole cover in Centreville on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, by Frank Pace, a foreman with Commonfields of Cahokia Public Water District, the sewer utility that covers the city. Byrd attended a public meeting at the utility the night before and complained about his water problems. The next day, Pace met to show Byrd all the pumps, inside and outside of Centreville that should be responsible for moving sewer water out of the city. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

What appears to be raw sewage and storm water are being pumped out of a pipe in the 200 block of North 82nd Street in Centreville. Neighbors complain about the stench when the temperatures are warm. Tampons, toilet paper and other items can be seen i

What appears to be raw sewage and storm water are being pumped out of a pipe in the 200 block of North 82nd Street in Centreville. Neighbors complain about the stench when the temperatures are warm. Tampons, toilet paper and other items can be seen in the water and on the ground near the pipe. Derik Holtmann DHOLTMANN@BND.COM (Belleville News-Democrat)

Residents believe many of the pump stations like this one on Belleview Avenue in Centreville are not performing like they previously did. Derik Holtmann DHOLTMANN@BND.COM (Belleville News-Democrat)

Residents believe many of the pump stations like this one on Belleview Avenue in Centreville are not performing like they previously did. Derik Holtmann DHOLTMANN@BND.COM (Belleville News-Democrat)

Centreville resident Walter Byrd talks about flooding and sewer issues that he and his neighbors have been battling for years. Byrd lives in the area near Illinois 157 and Lake Drive in Centreville. Derik Holtmann DHOLTMANN@BND.COM (Belleville News-D

Centreville resident Walter Byrd talks about flooding and sewer issues that he and his neighbors have been battling for years. Byrd lives in the area near Illinois 157 and Lake Drive in Centreville. Derik Holtmann DHOLTMANN@BND.COM (Belleville News-Democrat)

A condemned vacant home in the 8500 block of Belleview Avenue in Centreville shows the damage water has done on the property. Derik Holtmann DHOLTMANN@BND.COM (Belleville News-Democrat)

A condemned vacant home in the 8500 block of Belleview Avenue in Centreville shows the damage water has done on the property. Derik Holtmann DHOLTMANN@BND.COM (Belleville News-Democrat)

An old drain pipe rests right next to the new one that was installed on North 80th Street in Centreville. Derik Holtmann DHOLTMANN@BND.COM (Belleville News-Democrat)

An old drain pipe rests right next to the new one that was installed on North 80th Street in Centreville. Derik Holtmann DHOLTMANN@BND.COM (Belleville News-Democrat)

Centreville resident Walter Byrd stands in his side yard next to raw sewage and his attempt to keep the sewage from backing up into his home. Derik Holtmann DHOLTMANN@BND.COM (Belleville News-Democrat)

Centreville resident Walter Byrd stands in his side yard next to raw sewage and his attempt to keep the sewage from backing up into his home. Derik Holtmann DHOLTMANN@BND.COM (Belleville News-Democrat)

Over the past forty years, Patricia Greenwood’s house has gradually deteriorated as a result of the flooding in Centreville. (Image: Lonnie Greenwood) (Boston Review)

Over the past forty years, Patricia Greenwood’s house has gradually deteriorated as a result of the flooding in Centreville. (Image: Lonnie Greenwood) (Boston Review)

Earlie Fuse, Mrs. Greenwood’s neighbor, has rebuilt the washed-out foundation of his home five times. (Image: Walter Johnson) (Boston Review)

Earlie Fuse, Mrs. Greenwood’s neighbor, has rebuilt the washed-out foundation of his home five times. (Image: Walter Johnson) (Boston Review)

Backed-up sewage mixes with water as the ground continues to flood in Centreville. (Image: Walter Johnson) (Boston Review)

Backed-up sewage mixes with water as the ground continues to flood in Centreville. (Image: Walter Johnson) (Boston Review)

Walter Byrd checks on an overflowing sewer grate next to his home in Centreville. Like dozens of other residents, Byrd has raw sewage seeping through his yard. CAROLINA HIDALGO (St. Louis Public Radio)

Walter Byrd checks on an overflowing sewer grate next to his home in Centreville. Like dozens of other residents, Byrd has raw sewage seeping through his yard. CAROLINA HIDALGO (St. Louis Public Radio)

Earlie Fuse points to a plywood wall he constructed after his basement wall collapsed. CREDIT FILE PHOTO | CAROLINA HIDALGO (St. Louis Public Radio)

Earlie Fuse points to a plywood wall he constructed after his basement wall collapsed. CREDIT FILE PHOTO | CAROLINA HIDALGO (St. Louis Public Radio)

Valerie Marion keeps her appliances up on bricks to keep them safe from the flood water that seeps into her basement. CREDIT CAROLINA HIDALGO (St. Louis Public Radio)

Valerie Marion keeps her appliances up on bricks to keep them safe from the flood water that seeps into her basement. CREDIT CAROLINA HIDALGO (St. Louis Public Radio)

Centreville Mayor Marius ‘Mark’ Jackson canceled Tuesday’s meeting of the City Council for unknown reasons. Calls to the city and requests for comment from the mayor yielded no answers other than that the meeting would not be rescheduled. Kavahn Mans

Centreville Mayor Marius ‘Mark’ Jackson canceled Tuesday’s meeting of the City Council for unknown reasons. Calls to the city and requests for comment from the mayor yielded no answers other than that the meeting would not be rescheduled. Kavahn Mansouri KMANSOURI@BND.COM (Belleville News-Democrat)

Danny Lane, right, gives his friend Walter Byrd a push as Byrd prepares to head down a flooded Centreville street in June 2015. Firefighters evacuated residents earlier in the day. ROBERT COHEN / POST DISPATCH / POLARIS (Earthjustice)

Danny Lane, right, gives his friend Walter Byrd a push as Byrd prepares to head down a flooded Centreville street in June 2015. Firefighters evacuated residents earlier in the day. ROBERT COHEN / POST DISPATCH / POLARIS (Earthjustice)

A yard in Centreville. IMAGE COURTESY OF EQUITY LEGAL SERVICES (Earthjustice)

A yard in Centreville. IMAGE COURTESY OF EQUITY LEGAL SERVICES (Earthjustice)

Flooding in Centreville. IMAGE COURTESY OF EQUITY LEGAL SERVICES (Earthjustice)

Flooding in Centreville. IMAGE COURTESY OF EQUITY LEGAL SERVICES (Earthjustice)

Centreville residents attend a meeting about the flooding in their town. IMAGE COURTESY OF EQUITY LEGAL SERVICES (Earthjustice)

Centreville residents attend a meeting about the flooding in their town. IMAGE COURTESY OF EQUITY LEGAL SERVICES (Earthjustice)

Roads and homes were flooded as rain fell over Centreville, trapping residents in their homes and making roads impassable (Belleville News-Democrat)

Roads and homes were flooded as rain fell over Centreville, trapping residents in their homes and making roads impassable (Belleville News-Democrat)

Roads and homes were flooded as rain fell over Centreville, trapping residents in their homes and making roads impassable (Belleville News-Democrat)

Roads and homes were flooded as rain fell over Centreville, trapping residents in their homes and making roads impassable (Belleville News-Democrat)

Centreville residents seek federal court authority over leaders to fix 'dysfunctional' sewers; Their 'sheer indifference' blamed (Madison-St. Clair Record)

Centreville residents seek federal court authority over leaders to fix 'dysfunctional' sewers; Their 'sheer indifference' blamed (Madison-St. Clair Record)

Patricia Greenwood says despite constantly spraying bleach, she can’t stop mold from growing on her windowsills. Photo by Michele Munz, Post-Dispatch (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Patricia Greenwood says despite constantly spraying bleach, she can’t stop mold from growing on her windowsills. Photo by Michele Munz, Post-Dispatch (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

The street where Sheila Gladney lives floods during heavy rain, trapping residents. This photo is after a day of rain in January. Photo by Michele Munz, Post-Dispatch (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

The street where Sheila Gladney lives floods during heavy rain, trapping residents. This photo is after a day of rain in January. Photo by Michele Munz, Post-Dispatch (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)


Centreville residents struggle as flash flooding and failed sewage systems have become the new normal. The poor infrastructure is driving out longtime residents and frustrating those that remain. (Belleville News-Democrat)
Link: https://www.bnd.com/news/local/article240218887.html

 

Centreville residents bring attention to chronic flooding and sewer issues (Fox 2 Now)
Link: https://fox2now.com/news/illinois/centreville-residents-bring-attention-to-chronic-flooding-and-sewer-issues/

 

Centreville residents left in a lurch over faulty sewage system (Fox 2 Now)
Link: https://fox2now.com/news/you-paid-for-it/centreville-residents-left-in-a-lurch-over-faulty-sewage-system/

 

After several hours of rain, wastewater streams out of a broken sewer pipe in front of Hazel LeFlore’s home on 82nd in Centreville. The water carves a trench between her home and that of her neighbor, William McNeal, and then flows into the woods behind her home. Wastewater has been leaking from the line for years despite complaints. Video by Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Link: https://www.stltoday.com/wastewater-streaming-out-of-broken-pipe/video_22c828ec-085f-5718-b54a-4ae90f257477.html

 

What used to be a main drainage canal behind homes on Belleview Avenue has been flattened and taken over by vegetation. As shown here in January after several hours of rain, water instead spreads out and into homes. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Link: https://www.stltoday.com/main-drainage-canal-taken-over-by-vegetation/video_d34424c6-9d7e-5fd6-a234-d4c0c346090d.html


During a recent rain, wastewater bubbles out of a manhole on a crumbling street in Centreville because the sewer lines are full. Video by Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Link: https://www.stltoday.com/video_4158928c-6933-5459-aabb-21589e7cbd3c.html

 

Sewer system officials say the system’s pumps in Centreville are damaged by the poor management of stormwater runoff, as pictured here during a day of rain in January. Video by Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Link: https://www.stltoday.com/video_b7bfcacc-e88b-5cff-bcf9-01066053f78a.html