Millstadt residents asked to limit wastewater after fire damages treatment plant
Multiple fire and EMS agencies worked several hours to contain a structure fire on East Laurel in Millstadt Tuesday afternoon.
The burning building is part of the village’s wastewater treatment facility, according to the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency. Residents of the village have been asked to reduce their wastewater discharge for the time being.
St. Clair County Assistant Emergency Management Agency Director Bryan Whitaker said at the scene it is still too early to know how the village’s sewer service will be affected. Village water and sewer customers, however, received automated text message and robocalls asking that they limit how much wastewater they produce.
“The Millstadt Fire Department is currently working a structure fire at the sewer treatment plant,” it said. “The Village is requesting that you limit the amount of water discharge you are producing during this time. Your water is safe to drink. However, the plants sewage processing capabilities have been reduced.”
Millstadt fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the first alarm just before 4 p.m. Columbia, Villa Hills and Northwest fire departments provided mutual aid, according to St. Clair County EMA.
“Upon arrival, we were met with fire working through the roof of the facility,” the Millstadt Fire Department posted on its Facebook account. “Crews worked diligently to establish water supply and move to extinguish the fire. Well over 1,000 feet of 5-inch hose was laid and multiple agencies worked diligently to bring this fire under control.
“We would like to thank all of our mutual aid departments that responded to the scene or moved up to neighboring fire houses to cover this response.”
Millstadt resident Michelle White said the fire consumed the building quickly.
“I thought I saw something from the trees, so I pulled over and next thing I know there’s a million fire trucks,” she said.
This story was originally published January 13, 2026 at 4:48 PM.