INDIANAPOLIS — Neighbors in Fountain Square are concerned about an odor coming from a nearby business that has been going on for years.
“The odor can range from a human poop smell or sour, decaying flesh,” said one neighbor, who preferred to stay anonymous. “The smell persists year-round. It’s always detectable. It’s also dependent on wind direction.”
He’s talking about a business on Deloss Street called Commercial Grease Trap Cleaning Corp., which is also under the same ownership as Curt and Jerry Sewer Services. The company is a septage business that pumps, transports, disposes, stores and treats grease trap wastes.
The facility’s garage has three walls and is uncovered with open-air containers. According to the Fountain Square Neighborhood Association, the facility is within 660 feet of more than 70 homes.
“My message for the owner is to pull back your application for a storage and treatment permit for septage material. This should’ve never been authorized. This is unethical,” the neighbor said.
Besides the smell, neighbors have also reported waste and other materials leaking into alleys and nearby properties. This has caused concern for potential environmental damage and health issues.
The facility is currently permitted through the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to store and treat the waste.
Back in May, that permit was up for renewal and is now under review.
An inspection conducted by IDEM and Marion County Health Department earlier this year also revealed a total of six violations. One of the notes indicated the three-walled garage conditions that contain facility operations were an “immediate public health and safety hazard.”
13News talked to the business owner, Scott Isaacs, over the phone Tuesday. He said the issues in the violations were corrected. He said he is trying different methods to help reduce the odor, including biological treatment and deodorizers.
Issacs said the company is a fourth-generation business that has called Fountain Square home for 30 years. He said he hasn’t had an issue getting a permit renewed until now. Ultimately, he hopes the company can reach an agreement with neighbors to find a path forward.
In the meantime, the Fountain Square Neighborhood Association is encouraging other neighbors to speak up.
“It’s a big concern, and I don’t think people really knew it was in their backyard,” said Dakota Pawlicki, the president of FSNA. “What we are really hoping is that there is some kind of action taken that addresses these health and well-being concerns.”
Pawlicki also questioned whether a business like this should be operating in such a dense residential area.
“What we have learned is that there are a few other businesses in the state of Indiana that process this similar kind of material. None of them are located near any kind of housing or residential area,” Pawlicki said.
On Wednesday, IDEM is holding a public hearing regarding the renewal application for the business. The meeting will be held at SECS, 901 S. Shelby St. from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
If you can't attend the meeting, you can also submit questions/concerns in writing to Kate Garvey at krgarve@idem.IN.gov. Comments are being received through Oct. 23.