RICH'S CAR WASH Stormwater Outfall, Mobile, Alabama | United States

RICH'S CAR WASH is a stormwater outfall located at 7470 Airport Boulevard in Mobile, Alabama, United States. It serves as a discharge point for stormwater runoff from a car wash facility, classified under NAICS code 811192 (Car Washes). The facility is operational and falls under the jurisdiction of the US EPA's NPDES MS4 program, which regulates stormwater discharges in urbanized areas like Mobile. As a stormwater outfall, this facility is part of a network designed to manage runoff and prevent pollutants from entering local waterways. In Alabama, stormwater permits are administered by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) under delegated authority from the EPA. The facility's location in Mobile County places it within a Phase II MS4 area, requiring compliance with stormwater management plans to reduce pollution. The environmental significance of this outfall lies in its role in controlling runoff from a commercial car wash, which can contain detergents, oils, and sediments. Proper management helps protect nearby water bodies, including the Mobile River and Mobile Bay, which are ecologically important estuaries. The facility contributes to local stormwater infrastructure by ensuring that discharges meet regulatory standards.

Mobile, Alabama, is located on the Gulf Coast with a humid subtropical climate, receiving heavy rainfall that generates significant stormwater runoff. The area's waterways, including Mobile Bay, are sensitive to pollutants from urban and industrial sources. Stormwater outfalls like RICH'S CAR WASH must comply with NPDES MS4 permits to minimize impacts on these impaired water bodies. The facility's catchment is primarily commercial, with potential pollutants from car washing activities requiring best management practices to protect local aquatic ecosystems.