3M CO - GUIN Stormwater Outfall, Guin, Alabama | United States

3M CO - GUIN is a stormwater outfall located at 6675 US Highway 43 in Guin, Marion County, Alabama, United States. This facility manages stormwater runoff from industrial operations, including NAICS codes 326113 (unlaminated plastics film/sheet manufacturing), 326299 (all other rubber product manufacturing), 327212 (other pressed and blown glass and glassware manufacturing), and 327215 (glass product manufacturing made of purchased glass). As a stormwater outfall, it is part of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting framework under the Clean Water Act, which regulates discharges to surface waters. The facility operates under the NPDES MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) program, which requires permits for stormwater discharges from industrial activities. In Alabama, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) administers the NPDES program. The outfall likely includes best management practices (BMPs) such as sediment basins, oil-water separators, or vegetative buffers to treat runoff before discharge. The specific design capacity and treatment technology are not detailed, but typical industrial stormwater outfalls in the region manage runoff from impervious surfaces and process areas. The environmental significance of this outfall lies in its role in preventing untreated industrial runoff from entering local waterways. The facility is located in a rural area of northwestern Alabama, where stormwater can impact nearby streams and the Tennessee River watershed. Proper management of stormwater quality is critical to protect aquatic habitats and comply with water quality standards. The facility's operational status indicates ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements.

The outfall is situated in Marion County, Alabama, within the upper Tombigbee River watershed. The region experiences a humid subtropical climate with frequent thunderstorms, leading to significant stormwater runoff. Industrial activities at the site, including plastics, rubber, and glass manufacturing, can introduce pollutants such as suspended solids, heavy metals, and hydrocarbons into stormwater. Discharge to impaired water bodies or sensitive aquatic ecosystems would require additional controls under the Clean Water Act. The facility's location in a rural area may reduce cumulative impacts, but local streams are vulnerable to sedimentation and chemical runoff.