Pilgrim's Pride - El Dorado Processing Stormwater Outfall, El Dorado, Arkansas

Pilgrim's Pride - El Dorado Processing is a stormwater outfall located at 1810 Southwest Ave. in El Dorado, Union County, Arkansas. This facility manages stormwater runoff from a poultry processing plant, classified under NAICS codes 311613 (Rendering and Meat Byproduct Processing) and 311615 (Poultry Processing). 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 Clean Water Act, specifically the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4). In Arkansas, the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality oversees permitting and compliance. Stormwater outfalls at industrial sites like this one are typically subject to industrial stormwater general permits, which require implementation of stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs) and best management practices (BMPs) to control pollutants. This outfall serves an industrial catchment area associated with poultry processing, which can generate pollutants such as organic matter, nutrients, and pathogens. Proper management is essential to protect downstream water quality in the Ouachita River basin. The facility's operational status indicates ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements, contributing to local stormwater management and environmental protection efforts.

The outfall discharges into the Ouachita River basin, which supports diverse aquatic life and is used for recreation and water supply. Industrial stormwater runoff from poultry processing can introduce nutrients, sediments, and pathogens, potentially impacting water quality. Regulatory oversight under the Clean Water Act aims to minimize these impacts through permit conditions and monitoring.