Gadsden Fabrication Inc Stormwater Outfall, Gadsden, Alabama | Industrial Stormwater Management

Gadsden Fabrication Inc is a stormwater outfall located at 601 Industrial Parkway in Gadsden, Etowah County, Alabama, United States. The facility is operational and serves industrial activities classified under NAICS codes 332312, 332313, and 332322, which involve fabricated metal product manufacturing. As a stormwater outfall, it discharges runoff from an industrial catchment area, subject to the regulatory framework of the US EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and the Clean Water Act. The facility operates under the Phase II MS4 permit program, which requires stormwater discharges from industrial facilities to be managed through best management practices (BMPs) and pollution prevention plans. The outfall likely handles runoff from impervious surfaces such as parking lots, roofs, and material storage areas. Typical stormwater management for such sites includes sedimentation basins, oil-water separators, and vegetative swales to reduce pollutant loads before discharge. Environmental significance lies in its discharge to the Coosa River watershed, a major tributary of the Alabama River system. Industrial stormwater can carry pollutants like heavy metals, oils, and sediments, which may impact water quality and aquatic habitats. Compliance with NPDES permit conditions is critical to minimize ecological risks. The facility's location in an industrial area underscores the importance of proper stormwater management to protect downstream water resources.

The outfall discharges into the Coosa River watershed, which supports diverse aquatic ecosystems and provides drinking water for downstream communities. Industrial stormwater runoff from metal fabrication facilities can contain pollutants such as zinc, copper, and petroleum hydrocarbons. The local climate, with an average annual rainfall of about 54 inches, increases the potential for runoff events. Regulatory oversight under the EPA's NPDES program aims to control these discharges through site-specific permit limits and monitoring requirements.