HOUSTON – In a rare move, the Environmental Protection Agency has ordered a west Houston plant that handles human waste to cease operations.
Channel 2 Investigates first alerted viewers about suspected problems at the processing facility in October.
Federal investigators found conditions at Downstream Environmental LLC's BR Perrin Plant at 3737 Walnut Bend Lane in Houston.
The facility is not far from Beltway 8 and Westpark Drive.
A parallel Harris County environmental investigation noted several violations regarding the processing, storage and containment of municipal solid waste.
"Downstream Environmental L.L.C. was observed to be discharging wastewater and sludge to neighboring properties on all sides..."
A public Harris County flood control ditch borders the property to the East.
Some neighbors have long complained about the smell emanating from the property.
Downstream Environmental is licensed to accept human waste from port-o-potty companies, grease trap residue and other wastes, designated non-toxic.
The EPA shutdown is most likely temporary.
Dan Noyes, one of Downstream Environmental's owners, said earlier to Channel 2 he was in the process of rebuilding the plant.