The San Antonio Observer Newspaper published an article in January of this year(1/12/22) regarding the foul odors coming from a company located in the Willowwoods Estates. Kens5 television station also reported on this issue on September 1st this year. After all efforts to bring attention to the ongoing problem of horrendous odors coming from the United Site Services portable toilet company in this eastside community, the problem still exists. Local officials have attempted to intervene with code compliance and zoning violations. Yet, the company continues its operation in our community through their requests for numerous rescheduled hearings, extensions on Municipal court hearings and fines, and just outright “in your face” attitude of we’re not going anywhere. This was communicated to our board members attending a meeting with them on August 17th when they were informed that we do not want this type of company in our neighborhood because of the ongoing foul odors, the dispensing of waste in the ground which affects our groundwater, air quality and health. We were actually told by an administrative employee that “We (the company) could be asking you to move.”
Many of our residents have lived in Willowwood for over 50 years, and to be told that we could easily be the ones to move has not sat well with community members. Several residents have complained of being nauseated, especially early in the morning and having headaches. How long must we tolerate big companies who violate state and federal environmental justice laws by continuing to pollute our water and air quality in our neighborhoods, and why should we have to sit idly by and accept this. After being told to cease operation in late October, the owners filed for and received a temporary restraining order from a Bexar County judge allowing them to operate until a Board of Adjustment hearing. This public hearing is set for Monday, November 21, 2022, at the Cliff Morton Development Center located at 1901 South Alamo St. at 1:00 pm.
We encourage all District 2 neighborhoods and associations to attend this public hearing and support our opposition to this company, which has no regard for a safe and protected environment for an eastside community, being located in our neighborhood. Remember the water problems in Flint, Michigan and Jackson, Mississippi! This could be your neighborhood next.
