Overview
The FORT PAYNE PLANT is a stormwater outfall in Fort Payne, Alabama, serving the local urban catchment under US EPA NPDES MS4 regulations.
The FORT PAYNE PLANT is a stormwater outfall located at 109 38th Street in Fort Payne, Alabama, within DeKalb County. It operates under the United States regulatory framework, specifically the Clean Water Act and EPA's NPDES MS4 permit system, which governs stormwater discharges from municipal separate storm sewer systems. As a stormwater outfall, it manages runoff from the urban area of Fort Payne, a city with a population of around 14,000, and is classified under NAICS 327320 (ready-mix concrete manufacturing), indicating an industrial catchment component. Stormwater outfalls like this one are critical for conveying runoff from streets, parking lots, and industrial sites to receiving waters. In Alabama, stormwater management is regulated by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) under delegated authority from the EPA. The facility's operational status is active, and it likely discharges to a local waterbody, such as Big Wills Creek or the Coosa River basin, which are part of the larger Tennessee River watershed. The environmental significance of this outfall lies in its role in preventing localized flooding and controlling the quality of runoff entering natural waterways. Urban stormwater can carry pollutants like sediment, oil, and heavy metals, so proper management is essential for protecting aquatic ecosystems and downstream water quality. The facility's location in a mixed urban-industrial area underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and compliance with MS4 permit requirements.
Environmental context
Fort Payne is situated in the Appalachian foothills of northeastern Alabama, characterized by a humid subtropical climate with significant rainfall throughout the year. The area's stormwater runoff drains into the Coosa River basin, which supports diverse aquatic life and is used for recreation and drinking water. Urban and industrial land uses in Fort Payne, including concrete manufacturing, contribute potential pollutants such as sediment, nutrients, and metals to stormwater discharges. Effective management of these outfalls is crucial to protect water quality in receiving streams and comply with the Clean Water Act's goal of restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters.
Frequently asked questions
The FORT PAYNE PLANT is a stormwater outfall located at 109 38th Street in Fort Payne, Alabama, United States.
It is a stormwater outfall that discharges runoff from the urban and industrial areas of Fort Payne into local waterways, helping to manage stormwater and prevent flooding.
The facility operates under the US Clean Water Act and EPA's NPDES MS4 permit program, which regulates stormwater discharges from municipal separate storm sewer systems.
An NPDES MS4 permit is a regulatory tool under the Clean Water Act that requires municipalities to implement stormwater management programs to reduce pollution in runoff.
Stormwater management protects local water quality in the Coosa River basin, reduces flooding risks, and ensures compliance with environmental regulations to safeguard aquatic ecosystems.
Other Stormwater Outfall plants in United States · 6 nearby