Johnson's Grocery Stormwater Outfall, St. Stephens, Alabama

Johnson's Grocery is a stormwater outfall located at 20444 County Road 34 in St. Stephens, Washington County, Alabama, United States. As a stormwater outfall, it serves as a discharge point for stormwater runoff from the surrounding commercial area, likely including the grocery facility and associated parking. The facility is operational and falls under the regulatory oversight of the US EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) program, which governs stormwater discharges in urbanized areas. In Alabama, stormwater management is primarily regulated by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) under delegated authority from the EPA. Phase II MS4 permits require small municipalities and certain commercial entities to implement stormwater control measures to reduce pollutant loads. The environmental significance of this outfall lies in its potential impact on local water bodies. Runoff from commercial areas can carry pollutants like oil, grease, sediment, and nutrients. The facility's location in a rural county suggests lower urban density, but proximity to the Tombigbee River or its tributaries could influence water quality. Proper stormwater management helps protect aquatic habitats and downstream uses, aligning with Clean Water Act goals.

The outfall is situated in Washington County, Alabama, a rural area with forested and agricultural land. Stormwater runoff from commercial sites like Johnson's Grocery can contribute pollutants such as sediment, hydrocarbons, and nutrients to local streams. The region's humid subtropical climate with frequent rainfall increases runoff volumes, making effective stormwater control critical to protect water quality in the Tombigbee River basin, which supports diverse aquatic life and recreational uses.