SUNSHINE #5 Stormwater Outfall, Tuscaloosa, Alabama | United States

SUNSHINE #5 is a stormwater outfall located at 8200 Highway 69 South in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States. It operates within the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) of Tuscaloosa County, managing urban runoff from the surrounding area. As a stormwater outfall, it discharges collected stormwater into local waterways, playing a key role in flood control and water quality management. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act, specifically the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) MS4 permit program. Tuscaloosa, as a Phase II small MS4, is required to implement stormwater management programs to reduce pollutant discharges to the maximum extent practicable. Typical controls include structural best management practices (BMPs) such as detention basins, vegetated swales, and catch basin cleaning. Environmental significance lies in its role in protecting the Black Warrior River and its tributaries from urban runoff pollution. Stormwater outfalls like SUNSHINE #5 help mitigate flooding and reduce the transport of sediments, nutrients, and contaminants into sensitive aquatic ecosystems. Proper operation and maintenance of this outfall contribute to the overall health of the watershed and compliance with water quality standards.

Tuscaloosa is located in the Black Warrior River basin, which drains into the Mobile River system and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. The region experiences a humid subtropical climate with frequent heavy rainfall, making stormwater management critical for flood control and water quality. Urban runoff from highways and developed areas can carry pollutants such as sediment, oil, and heavy metals into local streams. The outfall's discharge may affect downstream water bodies, including Lake Tuscaloosa, a drinking water source. Regulatory oversight under the NPDES MS4 program aims to minimize these impacts through best management practices.