"ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- In a legal settlement with the United States and an environmental foundation, The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District has agreed to make extensive improvements to its sewer systems and treatment plants, at an estimated cost of $4.7 billion over 23 years.

The improvements are intended to eliminate illegal overflows of untreated raw sewage and to reduce pollution levels in urban rivers and streams.

'This injunctive relief is historic in its scope and importance to the people of St. Louis,' the Justice Department and the U.S EPA said Thursday, announcing the settlement."

Environment News Service had the story August 8, 2011. [2]