FRANKLIN IRON WORKS, INC. Stormwater Outfall in Thorsby, Alabama

FRANKLIN IRON WORKS, INC. is a stormwater outfall located at 146 Tommie Drive in Thorsby, Chilton County, Alabama, United States. This facility manages stormwater runoff from an industrial site classified under NAICS 331511 (Iron Foundries). As a stormwater outfall, it discharges collected stormwater into local waterways, subject to federal and state regulations. The facility operates under the US EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, which governs stormwater discharges from industrial activities. In Alabama, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) administers the NPDES program. The outfall is part of a stormwater management system designed to control runoff quality and quantity from the iron works facility, typically including best management practices such as sediment basins, oil-water separators, or filtration systems. Stormwater outfalls like this one play a critical role in protecting water quality in receiving streams. The facility's discharge may affect local water bodies in the Cahaba River watershed, which is ecologically significant. Compliance with NPDES permit conditions, including monitoring and reporting, is essential to minimize environmental impact from industrial runoff containing potential pollutants like metals, sediment, and hydrocarbons.

The facility is located in Thorsby, Alabama, within the Cahaba River watershed, one of the most biodiverse river systems in the United States. Industrial stormwater discharges from iron foundries can contain pollutants such as heavy metals, suspended solids, and oils, which may impact aquatic ecosystems. The Cahaba River is home to numerous rare and endemic species, making stormwater management critical for preserving water quality and habitat integrity.