Mercedes-Benz US International Inc Stormwater Outfall, Vance, Alabama

Mercedes-Benz US International Inc operates a stormwater outfall located at 1 Mercedes Drive in Vance, Alabama, within Tuscaloosa County. The facility manages stormwater runoff from automotive manufacturing operations, including assembly and parts production, as indicated by NAICS codes 236210, 336110, and 336111. As a large industrial facility, it is subject to EPA NPDES stormwater permitting under the Clean Water Act. The outfall is part of the facility's stormwater management system, designed to control and treat runoff from impervious surfaces and industrial areas. Regulatory oversight includes compliance with Alabama's NPDES MS4 program, which requires permits for stormwater discharges from industrial activities. The facility's operational status is active, and it must adhere to effluent limits and monitoring requirements to prevent pollution of receiving waters. The environmental significance lies in its location within the Black Warrior River watershed, which supports diverse aquatic ecosystems. Proper stormwater management is critical to minimize impacts from automotive manufacturing, such as sediment, heavy metals, and hydrocarbons. The facility's compliance with permit conditions helps protect local water quality and downstream communities.

The outfall discharges into the Black Warrior River basin, a region characterized by mixed urban and industrial land use. The area experiences a humid subtropical climate with frequent heavy rainfall, increasing runoff volumes and pollutant loads. Industrial stormwater from automotive manufacturing can contain contaminants like oil, grease, and heavy metals, necessitating robust treatment and monitoring to protect aquatic life and downstream drinking water sources.