PLANT #4 Stormwater Outfall, Lineville, Alabama | United States

PLANT #4 is a stormwater outfall facility located at 320 Ace Road in Lineville, Clay County, Alabama, United States. As a stormwater outfall, it manages the discharge of stormwater runoff from the surrounding area, playing a key role in local flood control and water quality management. 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 critical due to the state's varied geography and climate, which includes frequent heavy rainfall events. The facility likely serves an urban or industrial catchment, managing runoff to prevent flooding and reduce pollutant loads entering local waterways. The NPDES MS4 permit framework requires facilities like PLANT #4 to implement best management practices (BMPs) for stormwater control, including erosion prevention, sediment control, and pollution prevention. The environmental significance of PLANT #4 lies in its role in protecting downstream water bodies from stormwater pollution. By managing runoff, the facility helps maintain water quality in local streams and rivers, which is essential for aquatic ecosystems and community water supplies. Its operation contributes to the broader goals of the Clean Water Act, ensuring that stormwater discharges do not impair water quality or harm aquatic life.

Lineville, Alabama, is located in the Piedmont region, characterized by rolling hills and numerous small streams. Stormwater runoff from urban and industrial areas can carry pollutants such as sediment, nutrients, heavy metals, and pathogens into these waterways. The facility's discharge may affect local water bodies, including those that are impaired or sensitive. Effective stormwater management is crucial to mitigate these impacts and comply with water quality standards under the Clean Water Act.