West University sewage stinking up Houston

If you have ever driven along North Braeswood near Kirby, you've probably smelled the awfulness that is the West University sewage plant (and yes, it's in Houston, not West University). Now that the city has cut down trees surrounding the plant - for "homeland security" reasons - the smell is making its way south of the bayou (the facility's north-facing entrance on Braeswood has never been "shielded"). Chris Peiffer, the City of West University's Public Works Director, told KTRK that the state of Texas ordered them to cut down the trees to increase the plant's visibility "so security guards can more easily spot anyone trying to break in - it's a matter of homeland security."

We drive by frequently and haven't honestly noticed that the smell has become worse - it's just really, really bad as usual. No wonder the city limits of West University Place are a good nine blocks (~.7 miles as the crow flies) from the facility. Peiffer did mention, however, that more trees will be planted in place of the ones just chopped down (we're assuming terrorist-unfriendly trees since thinning out the previous ones apparently wasn't an option). Be warned, though - there won't be as many trees and the West University residents' smells will still float to nearby non-West University residents as strong as ever.