SIMS METAL MANAGEMENT Stormwater Outfall, Mobile, Alabama | Regulatory Overview

SIMS METAL MANAGEMENT is a stormwater outfall located at 1360 Conception St Road in Mobile, Alabama, United States. This facility is part of the stormwater management infrastructure in Mobile County, serving an industrial catchment area. The plant is operational and classified under NAICS code 331492 (Secondary Smelting, Refining, and Alloying of Nonferrous Metal). As a stormwater outfall, this facility is subject to the US EPA NPDES MS4 permit program, which regulates stormwater discharges from municipal separate storm sewer systems. In Alabama, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) administers the NPDES program. The facility's industrial classification suggests it manages runoff from metal recycling or smelting operations, requiring compliance with stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPP) and best management practices (BMPs). The environmental significance of this outfall lies in its potential to discharge stormwater into local water bodies in the Mobile area. Proper management of stormwater from industrial sites is critical to prevent pollutants such as heavy metals, sediments, and oils from reaching receiving waters. The facility's location in an industrial zone near the Mobile River and Mobile Bay underscores the importance of effective stormwater controls to protect aquatic ecosystems and downstream water quality.

Mobile, Alabama, is located on the Gulf Coast with a humid subtropical climate, receiving heavy rainfall that generates significant stormwater runoff. The area's industrial activities, including metal processing, contribute potential pollutants like heavy metals and hydrocarbons to stormwater. Discharges from industrial outfalls like SIMS METAL MANAGEMENT must comply with NPDES permit limits to protect sensitive receiving waters such as the Mobile River and Mobile Bay, which support diverse aquatic life and are vital for local fisheries and recreation.