I absolutely agree with your point here. I think part of the problem is probably the system/law. When you go for literal years without any action from the local government, there need to be laws/channels that you can use to escalate the issue.

Basically, a clean and safe environment should be mandated by law. If the local government doesn't uphold that law, the issue should be raised to higher levels (and the individuals responsible for the local government breaking the law should be punished accordingly). If higher levels don't resolve it, your division of power is broken, since the government is blatantly violating rulings from the judiciary. If the division of power is broken.... revolt?