HANWHA Stormwater Outfall, Opelika, Alabama | Industrial Catchment Management

HANWHA is a stormwater outfall facility located at 4800 Northpark Dr, Opelika, Alabama, in Lee County. The facility is operational and serves industrial catchments associated with NAICS codes 326130 (Laminated Plastics Plate, Sheet, and Shape Manufacturing) and 336399 (All Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing). As a stormwater outfall, it manages runoff from these industrial activities, ensuring compliance with local and federal regulations. In the United States, stormwater outfalls like HANWHA are regulated under the Clean Water Act, specifically through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permits. Alabama's Phase II MS4 program requires operators to develop stormwater management programs that address public education, illicit discharge detection, construction site runoff control, and pollution prevention. The facility's industrial catchment likely necessitates additional industrial stormwater permitting under EPA's Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) for industrial activities. The environmental significance of HANWHA lies in its role in managing stormwater runoff from industrial areas, which can contain pollutants such as heavy metals, oils, and chemicals. Proper operation helps protect local water bodies, including nearby creeks and the Tallapoosa River watershed, from contamination. The facility contributes to community resilience by reducing flood risks and maintaining water quality in Opelika's urban environment.

Opelika, Alabama, experiences a humid subtropical climate with frequent thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, making stormwater management critical. The facility's industrial catchment, including plastics and motor vehicle parts manufacturing, poses risks of pollutant runoff such as hydrocarbons, metals, and suspended solids. Discharge from HANWHA enters local waterways that are part of the Tallapoosa River basin, which supports aquatic ecosystems and downstream water supplies. Effective stormwater treatment helps prevent impairment of these water bodies and aligns with Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements for pollutants like sediment and nutrients.