BERMCO ALUMINUM Stormwater Outfall in Birmingham, Alabama

BERMCO ALUMINUM is a stormwater outfall located at 616 33rd Place N in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. The facility is operational and classified under NAICS code 331314 (Secondary Smelting and Alloying of Aluminum), indicating an industrial catchment with potential stormwater runoff concerns. As a stormwater outfall in the United States, BERMCO ALUMINUM is subject to the Clean Water Act and EPA's NPDES permitting program. Industrial facilities like this typically require a Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) or an individual permit for stormwater discharges. The facility's location in an urban-industrial area of Birmingham means its stormwater may be regulated under Phase II MS4 requirements, given the city's population density. The environmental significance of this outfall lies in its potential to discharge stormwater runoff from an aluminum smelting operation. Such facilities can contribute pollutants like heavy metals, oils, and suspended solids to receiving waters. Proper stormwater management, including best management practices (BMPs) and monitoring, is critical to protect local water quality in the Birmingham area.

Birmingham, Alabama, has a humid subtropical climate with frequent thunderstorms, leading to significant stormwater runoff. The city's industrial history, including aluminum smelting, means that stormwater outfalls like BERMCO ALUMINUM may discharge into water bodies that are already impaired by industrial pollutants. The Jefferson County area is part of the Black Warrior River watershed, which supports diverse aquatic life and is used for recreation and drinking water. Effective stormwater management is essential to prevent further degradation of these resources.