BORDEN DAIRY Stormwater Outfall, Cowarts, Alabama | United States

BORDEN DAIRY is a stormwater outfall located at 5014 E US Highway 84 in Cowarts, Alabama, within Houston County. The facility is operational and serves as a point of discharge for stormwater runoff from an industrial dairy processing site, classified under NAICS code 311511 (Fluid Milk Manufacturing). As a stormwater outfall, it is subject to the US EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting framework, specifically under the Clean Water Act's regulations for industrial stormwater discharges. In Alabama, stormwater outfalls at industrial facilities must comply with NPDES general permits for stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity. These permits require implementation of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) that include best management practices (BMPs) to control pollutants in runoff. The facility's location in a rural area of southeastern Alabama means that local water bodies may be sensitive to nutrient loading and sediment from agricultural and industrial sources. The environmental significance of this outfall lies in its potential impact on nearby streams and rivers in the Choctawhatchee River watershed. Proper management of stormwater from the dairy facility is essential to prevent contamination from organic waste, nutrients, and other pollutants that could affect aquatic ecosystems and downstream water quality. Regular monitoring and compliance with permit conditions help mitigate these risks.

The outfall is located in the Choctawhatchee River watershed in southeastern Alabama, an area characterized by agricultural land use and rural development. Stormwater runoff from industrial facilities like BORDEN DAIRY can carry pollutants such as nutrients, sediments, and organic matter into local waterways, potentially impacting water quality and aquatic habitats. The region's climate, with high rainfall and warm temperatures, increases the risk of runoff events and associated pollutant transport.