Overview
HIGHWAY 280 PLANT is a stormwater outfall in Birmingham, Alabama, United States. It manages stormwater runoff from the surrounding urban catchment.
HIGHWAY 280 PLANT is a stormwater outfall located in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. It serves the local urban area, managing stormwater runoff to mitigate flooding and protect water quality. As a stormwater outfall, it is part of the broader stormwater management infrastructure in the region. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the US EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permits. Birmingham is subject to Phase II MS4 requirements, which mandate stormwater management programs to reduce pollutant discharges to the maximum extent practicable. The outfall likely discharges to a local waterbody, potentially an impaired stream, given the urban setting. Environmental significance lies in its role in controlling runoff from impervious surfaces, reducing erosion, and preventing pollutants from entering waterways. Proper operation supports compliance with the Clean Water Act and helps protect downstream ecosystems in the Cahaba River watershed, which is ecologically important in Alabama.
Environmental context
The facility is located in Birmingham, Alabama, within the Cahaba River watershed, a region known for high aquatic biodiversity. Urban stormwater runoff from highways and developed areas can carry pollutants such as sediment, heavy metals, and nutrients, potentially impacting water quality. The outfall's discharge may affect local streams, which are subject to Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) regulations under the Clean Water Act.
Frequently asked questions
HIGHWAY 280 PLANT is located at 7059 MEADOWLARK LANE, Birmingham, Alabama 35242, United States.
HIGHWAY 280 PLANT is a stormwater outfall that discharges stormwater runoff from the surrounding urban area, helping to manage flooding and control pollution.
Stormwater outfalls in Alabama are regulated under the US EPA NPDES MS4 program. Phase II MS4 permits require municipalities to implement stormwater management programs to reduce pollutant discharges.
Stormwater runoff can carry pollutants like oil, sediment, and chemicals into waterways, harming aquatic life and violating water quality standards. Proper management through outfalls and treatment helps mitigate these impacts.
The Cahaba River is one of the most biodiverse rivers in the United States, home to numerous fish and mussel species. Stormwater management in Birmingham helps protect this critical ecosystem.
Other Stormwater Outfall plants in United States · 6 nearby